Excerpt from the Government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
Waterloo North Hydro Inc., an electricity distributor for Waterloo and the surrounding area, was fined $110,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.
On October 12, 2010, a mall was under construction in Waterloo. Workers from Waterloo North Hydro Inc. had installed transformers on site and were attempting to send power from a transformer in one location to a transformer in another location. As power was sent to the second transformer, a worker for an electrical contractor was in the area routing a metal tape through a duct. The tape came into contact with a newly energized electrical conductor and caused an arc flash. The worker was badly burned.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that an adequate job plan for energizing the transformers had not been documented. A job plan would have identified all known hazards and implemented controls for each hazard to protect workers from injury.
Waterloo North Hydro Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to establish and implement an adequate job plan prior to installing and energizing the transformers.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Ruth Legate Exon. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
My opinion
The law(s) in contravention:
Waterloo North Hydro Inc. was found guilty of violating section 181, sub-section 1 of the Ontario ‘Construction’ regulation 213/91 which states,
“Except where otherwise required by this Regulation, electrical work performed on or near electrical transmission or distribution systems shall be performed in accordance with the document entitled “Electrical Utility Safety Rules” published by the Electrical and Utilities Safety Association of Ontario Incorporated.”
Waterloo North Hydro Inc. was also found guilty of violating section 23, sub-section 1(a) which states,
“constructor shall ensure, on a project undertaken by the constructor that,
(a) the measures and procedures prescribed by this Act and the regulations are carried out on the project.”
Why was there no set of safe operating procedures? Why was there not an adequate job plan for energizing the transformers and why was there no discussion about the work at hand? You see, all hazards have to be identified, assessed and controlled before any work is done.
It would sure be a safer workplace if all employers followed these guidelines, now wouldn’t it!
Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Electrical Safety Awareness’, ‘Arc Flash Safety Awareness’ and ‘Lockout and Tagout’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- check-box and now every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment.
Is there a way you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it!
This is a topic that is close to my heart… Thank you! Where are your contact details though?
I truly love your website.
Thanks!
This is the right site for everyone who would like to find out about health and safety.
Hi! I could have sworn I have visited this website before but after looking at many of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
Good work though!
You are so awesome! I do not suppose I’ve truly read anything like this before.
This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Take care! Where are your contact details though?
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site.
Your site is valuable for me. Thanks!
Would you be into exchanging links?
I loved reading your material!
That is the right place for anybody who needs to search out about health and safety.
Right here is the perfect web site for anyone who really wants to find out about health and safety.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites every day!
It’s genuinely very complex subject but you made it easy!
Right here is the right site for anybody who hopes to understand health and safety.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head.
It’s truly difficult to find knowledgeable people.
If you would like to get much from this paragraph then you have to apply such strategies to your own weblog.|
Your style is unique compared to other people I have read material on health and safety.