An FMC study of 18 months of unpublished Ministry of Labour data has found that two‐thirds of corporations that fought Occupational Health and Safety Act charges through a trial were found guilty on at least one charge. Only 6% of corporations fought their charges all the way through to a trial. Of those, two‐thirds were found guilty … Continue reading
Judge lambastes defunct companies as ‘third world,’ while family members call them ‘cowardly’ The family of a trucker who was killed when a 15-metre-high wall of dirt and rock collapsed on him four years ago hopes a record $2.4 million fine under the Occupational Health and Safety Act sends a strong message to the construction … Continue reading
By Adrian Miedema In an unusual case, the Ontario Ministry of Labour has charged a small town’s volunteer fire department with safety offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The case is of interest because it involves the Ministry of Labour using safety laws to scrutinize, through the courts, the actions of emergency response professionals who are … Continue reading
The Newfoundland and Labrador government announced Thursday that the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) has been charged under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in connection with a fatal accident in Labrador City. In the March, 2010 incident, two workers fell about 23 feet from a work platform that was being used to access … Continue reading
Safe use of access equipment and fall protection continue to be the two major health and safety concerns related to access equipment on construction projects, according to the Ontario Ministry of Labour. The Ministry recently released results from an August 2011 blitz involving all types of access equipment at Ontario constructions sites. Inspectors checked on … Continue reading
New Brunswick’s health and safety authority is considering a demerit system that would give it the legislative authority to levy fines against companies that break the rules, without having to turn to the courts. Still in the early stages of planning, WorkSafeNB is asking for input from stakeholders, through an online survey, on a system … Continue reading
CALGARY — A contractor who was excavating a site for a luxury condominium complex says he had advised the site superintendent of safety concerns because of large cracks in a 30-metre-high wall at the side of the pit. Mark Bates, who owned On-Track Excavating, said he told the superintendent, Nick Papa, about the crack he … Continue reading
OSHA recently released a report of the 10 most frequently cited standards, as well as the 10 standard violations for which the highest fines were assessed, during its fiscal year, October 1, 2010- September 30, 2011. The most frequently cited standards were: 1. Construction scaffolding, general safety requirements. 29 CFR 1926.451.; 2. Fall protection in … Continue reading
The Ontario Ministry of Labour is seeking submissions on a proposed new regulation under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) that would provide assistance with OHSA reprisal complaints, including education, legal advice and representation, to non-unionized workers and small employers (fewer than 50 employees). The proposed regulation would expand the mandate of the Office of … Continue reading