Worker slipped and fell through a roof
One construction supervisor in Alberta has been fined $30,000 following the death of one worker.
The incident happened at a Calgary construction site on Dec. 10, 2021. A worker was working on a roof and removed plywood that covered an opening. The worker slipped and fell 4.5 metres through the opening, suffering serious injuries.
Supervisor Jeffrey Gross was handed the fine, which was inclusive of the 20 per cent victim fine surcharge.
Gross pleaded guilty to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to take all precautions necessary to protect the health and safety of a worker. He was sentenced on Sept. 24 in the Calgary Court of Justice. The Crown withdrew four other charges under OHS legislation.
Both Gross and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.
Meanwhile, both Graham Construction and Engineering Inc. and Graham Construction and Engineering LP have been individually charged as employer and prime contractor with seven counts under Occupational Health and Safety laws related to the same incident.
The companies’ trial begins Oct. 21 in the Calgary Court of Justice.
“Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province. They provide guidance for employers to help them ensure their workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible while providing rights and protections for workers. Charges under OHS laws may be laid when failing to follow the rules results in a workplace fatality or serious injury,” said the Alberta government.
