Blog Post #71 – Wasteco Fined $85,000 After Worker Dies

Excerpts from the Government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’

Southern Sanitation Inc., a Toronto garbage hauling company carrying on business as Wasteco, was fined $85,000 on April 16, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), after a worker was killed.

On November 20, 2007, a Wasteco truck mechanic working alone at the company garage at 161 Bridgeland Avenue in Toronto was crushed between the rails and frame of a roll-off truck being worked on.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found the company had written instructions for blocking the hoist rails of this type of truck when the rails are in the raised position, but this had not been done.

Southern Sanitation Inc., carrying on business as Wasteco, pleaded guilty under the OHSA of failing as an employer to provide information, instruction and supervision to protect the health and safety of a worker.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace W. G. Ralph. In addition to the fine, the court also imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge on the total, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Unbelievable!

My opinion

The law(s) in contravention:

In this day and age, an employee still does not receive enough information to save his life.

Southern Sanitation Inc. was in contravention of one of the basic sections of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety ACT (OHSA).

Section 25, subsection 2(a) states,

“The employer shall provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health and safety of the worker.”

Proper orientation would have saved the life of the employee as pertinent safety information usually does. The employer always is required to have all safety information passed along to their employees. What is the purpose of keeping that information to themselves? Trying to see how much of a fine they may receive?

Hmmm…..

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including Occupational Health and Safety Law and Ontario Health and Safety Law for the Supervisor. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259 to see if we can meet and exceed your company needs.

We can also be reached at

Remember — In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.