Alec Caldwell
Company fined $30,000 for worker not wearing fall safety equipment
You don't want to a $30,000 fine yourself. Make note of the new Fall Safety regulations coming into effect in Ontario on April 1st, just 5 weeks from now.
I talk daily with contractors about wearing Fall Protection equipment, as prescribed under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), a requirement while working above the height of 10 feet must follow.
A company in Innisfil, Ontario, was fined $30,000 on Jan. 27, after a Ministry of Labour inspector observed someone working without following safety laws. The company, the MoL says,: “… pleaded guilty and has been fined $30,000 after a worker was observed working on top of a flatbed trailer without using a safety harness or other fall protection equipment as required by law. No one was injured.”
Imagine if this was you who was fined! We are talking about criminal violations – a potential criminal record for you. And further, information on these prosecutions are available for everyone to see online. How will that affect your career? In the case of the Innisfil company, when I Googled the company’s name a moment ago, up popped another safety violation by this company from 2010. At that time, they were fined $70,000 after a worker was injured.
I’m assuming that this company was given NO warning by the Mol inspectors before they showed up. The inspectors already knew of this company’s track record. Who wants to be on the MoL radar like this company?
With the NEW Working at Heights Standard from the Ontario MoL arriving April 1 (five weeks from now) it means NO one can work above 10 feet from a work surface, unless they have completed this new course. At first, there will be some exceptions to this rule. We will gladly explain this to you, if you contact us toll free (below).
This is serious stuff and I’m asking everyone to take note of this new requirement.
If you want to ignore MoLd safety regulations, it’s your choice. But who can afford a $30,000 fine? Imagine if that Innisfil company worker got injured or even killed? Don’t even ask what the fine would be, think of the tragic effect on the lives of everyone involved, including the violating contractor. If this does not catch your attention, how about up to 12 months in jail?
I’m watching the backs of contractors daily, but there are no short cuts on safety. It’s about everyone going home at night to see their families, including you.
Thank for listening. All comments are welcome, including the good, the bad and the ugly.
By providing education and training, CARAHS reduces your risk of fines, job site closures and prosecution under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. We are independent of unions and government.
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