Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine
Maple Reinders Construction Ltd. was fined $55,000 on November 29, 2012, for a worker injury that occurred in 2010. Workers were stripping forms off a concrete wall at a waste processing facility under construction in Guelph, Ontario, when the form tipped over, causing the worker to fall from the top of the wall and sustain leg injuries.
An inspection found that metal rods used to hold the forms in place had been removed and replaced before the tear-down began, which was against normal practices, a statement from the Ministry of Labour reports. The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the forms were moved in such a way that would not endanger a worker.
My opinion
All aspects of the business must have a set of ‘Safe Operating Procedures’ (SOPs) and included in them would be an emphasis on safety. Section 25 of the Occupational Health & Safety Act demands that the employer provide the information, instruction and most importantly, supervision to a worker to better protect the worker.
The Ontario ‘Construction’ regulation 213/91 controls every aspect of a construction site. Falls of the leading cause of death in construction! 40% of all deaths in construction are related to falls. For this reason, the Ministry of Labour has upgraded training throughout Ontario in the construction sector.
The ‘Working at Heights’ training is now mandatory throughout the construction sector. If your workers do not have received the training then your company is in contravention of the regulation and be subject to fines. If your workers are hurt or killed because of a fall and training has not been provided then the fines could be substantial and jail time could be warranted. Ask the supervisor, Vadim Kazenelson – Metron’s Project Manager who received a 3 and a half year sentence for criminal negligence causing death in the Metron accident!
Ensure that your workplace is a safe place!
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 ‘Fall Protection’ and Working at Heights’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.