Blog Post #1577 – Barn Collapse Yields Fine in Grimsby

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine (April 2017)

An independent construction professional based in Grimsby, Ontario was fined $20,000 on February 2017, after a barn collapsed while under construction more than two years before.

According to a court bulletin from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, the constructor, Tom Ivezic, was hired to build a storage barn on a residential farm in West Lincoln. During construction, the partially built structure collapsed from wind pressure on November 24, 2014. It turned out that Ivezic had not braced the barn walls to prevent movement, nor had he secured the anchor balls connecting the walls to the foundation.

Although there were no reported injuries in the collapse, Ivezic contravened the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) by failing to give notice to the Ministry within two days of the incident. He also failed to respond to multiple messages from a Ministry of Labour inspector and to assist the inspector in an investigation.

My opinion

Blog post #969 is the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’ original court bulletin and report. It lists the actual violations of the construction regulations and the OHSA.

Please review and see how the government of Ontario deals with employers that commit safety infraction.

I would include sections 25, subsection 1(c) of the OHSA which states,

“An employer shall ensure that,

(c) the measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace.”

Section 25, subsection 2(h) can also be used. It states,

“An employer shall,

Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the worker.”

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at info@hrsgroup.com

Ensure your workplace is a safe place.

Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal

CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.

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