Basecrete, a Woodbridge, Ont., concrete and drain construction company, was fined $50,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured. Westin Homes Ltd., a Bradford, Ont., residential constructor, was fined $35,000 in relation to the same incident.
On Nov. 5, 2008, workers from Basecrete were installing sewers at a construction project in Brantford owned by Westin Homes. Two workers were in a trench installing a sewer main when part of the excavation collapsed. One of the workers suffered broken bones.
A Ministry of Labour investigation revealed the trench had not been reinforced by an appropriate support system at the time of the collapse.
Basecrete was found guilty, as an employer, of allowing workers to enter an excavation that was not compliant with Ontario's construction regulations. Westin Homes was found guilty, as a constructor, of the same offense.
The fines were imposed by Justice of the Peace Dennis Wilson. 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.
On Nov. 5, 2008, workers from Basecrete were installing sewers at a construction project in Brantford owned by Westin Homes. Two workers were in a trench installing a sewer main when part of the excavation collapsed. One of the workers suffered broken bones.
A Ministry of Labour investigation revealed the trench had not been reinforced by an appropriate support system at the time of the collapse.
Basecrete was found guilty, as an employer, of allowing workers to enter an excavation that was not compliant with Ontario's construction regulations. Westin Homes was found guilty, as a constructor, of the same offense.
The fines were imposed by Justice of the Peace Dennis Wilson. 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.
