Western Archrib had done its due diligence in addressing risks associated with the task
Western Archrib recently pleaded guilty under section 2.7(1) of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation to the charge of failing to notify the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health branch immediately — and by the fastest means available — regarding a serious incident involving one of its workers. The employer was fined $10,075.
A worker suffered a serious injury while using an oxygen acetylene cutting torch to cut the lid off of a 51-gallon metal barrel. The vapours entrapped in the barrel exploded as the barrel had not been properly purged of its flammable contents prior to the task being performed. Workplace Safety and Health was not notified until two days after the incident.
With respect to factors which led up to the incident, the employer successfully displayed that it had done its due diligence in satisfying its legal requirements in evaluating and addressing the risks associated with the task. However, the employer did acknowledge that it did contravene legislation by not reporting the incident in a timely manner.
