Excerpt From the Government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
Hydro One Networks Inc. was fined $175,000 on September 11, 2009, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was seriously injured.
On September 30, 2008, an electrical crew was working on a new addition to the Red Lake transformer station. One crew member was in an non-insulated lift near a beam supporting a live electrical bus. There was an arc flash from the bus, setting the worker’s clothes and upper body on fire. The other crew members tried to lower the lift, but they could not activate the manual backup controls. The worker came out of the lift basket, was suspended in the air by fall-arrest equipment, and fell about five meters when the equipment burnt off. The worker suffered severe burns.
Hydro One Networks Inc. pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing to ensure that electrical work performed on or near electrical transmission or distribution systems was performed in accordance with Rule 112 of the Electrical Utility Safety Rules, published by the Electrical and Utilities Safety Association of Ontario. This rule requires employers to establish written procedures for rescue operations. It also requires workers to learn and practise the rescue procedures.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Ray Zuliani. 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:
Hydro One was found guilty of a contravention of section 181 of the ‘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 “Electricity Utility Safety Rules” published by the Electrical and Utilities Safety Association of Ontario Incorporated and revised January 2009.”
It is always important for an employer to review all regulations the work environment BEFORE the work is being done. In this case, there are Electrical Utilities Safety Rules set in place to deal with most electrical issues. Why is the supervisor unaware of the standards that apply? Why does the employer not understand this as well.
Section 25 and 27 of the ACT were also violated. As far as I am concerned, there are numerous sections that could be used in this case. What about lockout and tagout?
The two main hazards associated with electricity is electrical shock and arcing. There should be control plans in place to deal with both of them.
I am curious what corrective action plan is to be in place as required by the MOL when dealing with any accident or incident. I hope it covers the needs of the workers to prevent a recurrence.
Remember — In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRSGroup Inc.
Amazing post. I’m of the same opinion.
i found Your site very useful for myself. i would like you give me a right to repost your info with a link to your site?
Very good info! Thanks for sharing.
Nicely done!
Keep up the good work, man.
Be very vigilent.
You have a gift!
I want to read more from you.
This is the first time I have stopped here. I found countless entertaining blogs. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only just one having all of the fun here! Keep up the good work.
You are the best!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
I want to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
Best regards.
I found your blog website on google and check just a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I want to pick up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader.
Many thanks!!!
Greetings,I love reading your posts.
I hope you continue to write more great blogs.
Well this could be considered a very good article.
Wonderful job.
Good for you.
You are a very talented blogger.
Many excellent posts on this internet webpage.
Extraordinary report!
The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.
I uncovered your internet page by way of Google search engine. Amazing skills!
This is real good.
Thank you.
Wow! Very nice!
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be just what we are looking for.
I also think that this is the best!
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Excellent work!
Quality content is crucial to get the reader’s attention. We have it here.
World class!
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article posts.
Kudos for revealing your blog site.
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of information.
I simply want to tell you that I’m beginner to the weblog world and seriously loved this web site. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog post. You certainly have fantastic stories.
This is really good.
You have incredible well written articles.
Thanks a lot for sharing with us your web site.
Thanks.
Yes! Finally someone writes about general health and safety issues!
I see many blogs outrank your site in google’s search results.
Wow, great blog. Really looking forward to reading more.
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
I am reading this enormous paragraph to improve my know-how.
It’s great that you are getting ideas from this post.
Good post. I’m going through some of these issues as well..
I quite like reading a post that will make people think.
It’s hard to come by well-informed people for this topic.
Wow, this article is pleasant.
Hey there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new I-phone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
I am truly thankful to the owner of this website who has shared
this enormous piece of writing at this time.
Definitely believe that which you stated.
Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with?
Nice post. I was checking this weblog and I am impressed!
Naturally, I like your website!
I wanted to thank you for all this!
It’s truly a great and helpful piece of info.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is required to get setup.
After reading your blog post I browsed your website a bit and noticed you are not ranking nearly as well in Google as you could be.
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic.
Many thanks!
My English is no great, but had to say I like what you say. Thank you
Really looking forward to read more.
I even have a better idea for construction safety!
Many thanks!
It’s a pity you don’t have got a donate button! I’d definitely donate to the fantastic blog!
You surely have good articles.
Bless you for sharing your blog site.
Have you ever thought about creating an E-book or guest authoring on other blogs?
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic.
Thanks!
I want to read more.
The design looks fantastic!