Three employers, one supervisor fined for workplaces safety violations
Three Manitoba employers and one supervisor were prosecuted for violations of the Workplace Safety and Health Act and its associated regulations which led to worker injuries.
Provincial courts imposed over $61,000 in fines for these violations, according to the government.
Double-You Builders Ltd. was fined $21,500 in total for two charges.
On Sept. 11, 2019, a worker employed by the company was working on a roof near Sydney when they lost their footing. The worker fell approximately six metres to the ground, striking a telehandler and sustaining a spinal fracture.
“The employer did not immediately notify WSH of the serious incident as required by law,” according to the government.
On Feb. 25, 2022, the employer pleaded guilty to two charges: failing to ensure an appropriate fall protection system was in place – which resulted in a $19,000 fine – and failing to immediately notify WSH of a serious incident – which resulted in a $2,500 fine.
Diemo Machine Works Inc. was also fined $30,000, to be used to educate the public about occupational safety and health matters.
On Aug. 8, 2019, a worker employed by Diemo near Arborg was fabricating shield-bearing parts with an Accurpress brake machine. The machine was activated while the worker’s fingers were between the die plates. This resulted in a finger amputation and crush injuries to two other fingers.
On April 4, 2022, the company pleaded guilty to failing to develop and/or implement safe work procedures for a machine and/or tool in the workplace.
Skyline Harvest Corporation was also fined $6,500 with an additional $1,500 penalty to be paid to Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) for the purpose of educating the public about occupational injury and illness prevention.
On Oct. 9, 2019, a worker employed by the company was struck by the bucket attachment of a 12-tonne excavator in a cornfield near Hanover. This resulted in a spinal fracture.
Officials from WSH investigated the incident and found that “the employer had not ensured workers were wearing personal protective equipment and the worker was not visible to the operator of the excavator,” according to the government.
On Feb. 17, 2022, the employer pleaded guilty to failing to develop and implement safe work procedures for the use of personal protective equipment in the workplace.
Lastly, Michael Christopher Noonan, a supervisor, was fined $1,550.
On Aug. 17, 2019, Noonan directed two workers to help repair a commercial overhead door weighing approximately 300 pounds. The door was jammed in the up position and one worker was directed to sever the door cables.
The door fell to the ground, striking and pinning the second worker until the worker was extricated by emergency services. The worker sustained multiple fractures.
“On March 3, 2022, Noonan pleaded guilty to failing to take all necessary precautions to protect the safety and health of a worker under their supervision. A fine of $1,550, including costs and surcharges, was imposed by the court,” according to the government.
Previously, British Columbia employers 1098369 B.C. Ltd., Rebo Beton Pumping Ltd. and Prime Health Ltd./Asian Herbs & Nutritionals were also fined for violations resulting to injuries to workers.
