Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine (April 2017)
A worker was hurt when a passing vehicle struck a cable at a road construction worksite in Chatham, Ontario on February 28, 2017.
Janet Deline, a spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Labour, says the incident took place during pipeline rehabilitation work conducted by Liquiforce, a firm headquartered in Kingsville. Chatham-based firm Henry Heylink Construction Ltd., was also involved in the work.
“A cable on the road was snagged by a passing vehicle, and that caused a worker to be injured,” Deline reports.
A statement from Chatham-Kent Police Service, dated February 28, 2017, indicates that its Traffic Management Unit secured the site of the incident and the investigation continues.
An inspector from the Ministry also attended the scene and issued a stop-work order to Liquiforce for traffic protection, Deline says. Additional orders for documentation were issued to both Liquiforce and Henry Heyink.
My opinion
Safety people understand the term, “JHA”, or “Job Hazard Assessment or Analysis”. The term comes from the need to complete one prior to any work to be done.
Was there an engineer on-site, someone that may have been able to consider any possible hazards dealing with the work.
In all due respect, the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), section 25, subsection 2(h) may or may not have been contravened.
It states,
“An employer shall,
Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the worker.”
I wonder if this met the standard listed above. It seems that the government didn’t think so.
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Due Diligence’ and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
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.