Blog Post #941 – Company Fined for Electrical Shock

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine

A commercial real-estate services company in Toronto was fined $80,000 on June 25, 2018 over an incident in which a worker was shocked by electricity while changing a fluorescent lighting ballast.

On March 31, 2015, two mobile-maintenance technicians employed by CBRE Limited were tasked to change a ballast in a cafeteria in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. The technicians went to the electrical room to lock out power to the electrical equipment in the area. One of the technicians who climbed up the ladder to get to the ballast located in the ceiling received an electrical shock and sustained critical injuries.

The company was fined on two counts for failing to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to ensure their health and safety and failing to ensure that the power supply to electrical installations, equipment or conductors has been disconnected, locked out of service and tank before or while it is being done on or near live exposed parts of the insulation, equipment or conductors.

My opinion.

CBRE must have been charged under the Industrial regulation 851/90, section 42, subsections 1 and 2 which states,

(1) The power supply to electrical installations, equipment or conductors shall be disconnected, locked out of service and tagged before any work is done, and while it is being done, on or near live exposed parts of the installations, equipment or conductors; and

(2) Before beginning the work, each worker shall determine if the requirements of subsection (1) have been complied with.”

CBRE was also found guilty of a violation of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) section 25, subsection 2(a) which states,

“An employer shall,

  • provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker.”

The worker MUST protected at all times, that is the Law! Please ensure that your company follows the Greenbook (OHSA and sector regulation) to ensure compliance. If not, your company moves to the head of the class and becomes another posting on my blog.

If your company needs help in this regard, please contact Deborah at HRS Group Inc. for more details. Our staff stands ready to help you in all your health and safety needs.

Ensure 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 ‘Due Diligence’, ‘Lockout and Tagout’ and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at 

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal

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

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