Ontario safety board launches campaign for independent construction operators • Construction firm convicted of criminal negligence in death of 4 workers • B.C. labour federation asks for tougher workplace safety law enforcement •Saskatchewan delays changes to OHS act • Fall safety inspections target workplace hazards in Ontario
Ontario safety board launches campaign for independent construction operators
TORONTO — An awareness campaign by the Ontario Workplace Safety and
Insurance Board (WSIB) is aiming to educate independent construction operators about upcoming changes to insurance coverage for Ontario construction workers. Construction employers are currently required to have WSIB coverage for their employees. Now, most independent operators, small businesses and executive officers in a corporation working in construction will also need to begin paying WSIB premiums on Jan. 1, 2013. Executive officers and partners whose businesses are already registered with the WSIB also must begin to report their own earnings and pay premiums. Exemptions are available for home renovators exclusively working in the field of renovation that are contracted directly with the individual living in the residence under construction. Businesses are also permitted to choose one executive officer or partner to apply for an exemption from coverage. The executive or partner must not perform any construction work on the project.
Until the changes take place, the WSIB is encouraging independent construction operators to educate themselves on the required coverage by visiting www.BeRegisteredBeReady.com. Pre-registration will run to Dec. 31 before the changes become mandatory in the new year.
Construction firm convicted of criminal negligence in death of 4 workers
TORONTO — An Ontario construction company has been fined $200,000 on a criminal conviction after four of its workers died in a scaffolding accident in 2009. Metron Construction is the first company in Ontario to be convicted of criminal negligence causing death under the Criminal Code.
On Dec. 24, 2009, a swing stage scaffold 13 storeys above ground at an apartment complex in Toronto broke, causing the four workers to fall to their death and one other to be critically injured. The accident was the worst construction accident in more than 50 years in Toronto and led to amendments to the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to increase protection for workers and reduce the chance of future accidents.
In June 2012, Metron pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal negligence causing death, leading to the $200,000 fine.
Metron president Joel Swartz also pleaded guilty to four charges under nthe OHSA. He has been fined $90,000. Prosecutors dropped charges of criminal negligence causing death against Swartz after his guilty plea because they believed there was no reasonable chance of conviction. A victim surcharge totaling $52,500 has also been handed to Metron and Swartz, bringing the total fines to $342,500.
B.C. labour federation asks for tougher workplace safety law enforcement
VANCOUVER — The B.C. Federation of Labour is asking the British Columbia government to review the repercussions for employers when fatalities occur at the workplace. The federation’s president met with the province’s minister of justice and minister of labour to discuss concerns they have with the enforcement of the Criminal Code targeting employers. During the meeting, the federation outlined a three point plan for justice and accountability:
- Dedicate a crown prosecutor to deal with workplace fatality and serious injury cases.
- Train police services on section 217.1 of the Criminal Code, which outlines that everyone who has the authority to direct how another person performs a task must take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm.
- Implement mandatory police investigations of all workplace fatalities and serious injuries.
The ministers have committed to look at the issue further and meet again in the coming weeks, B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair said.
Saskatchewan delays changes to OHS act
REGINA — Saskatchewan is delaying the implementation of amendments to the Occupational Health and
Safety Act because of concerns expressed by employers.
In May 2012, the government announced the changes would come into force on Sept. 3, 2012. The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety held information sessions around the province to support workplaces in understanding and implementing the new standards in their workplaces. During these sessions, the ministry received a variety of comments on the amendments.
The primary areas of concern include:
- the issuing of summary offence tickets
- the requirement to designate a prime contractor to co-ordinate site safety in sites with multiple employers or self-employed persons
- the increase in penalties.
The ministry said it will not move forward with the amendments until it is able to address these concerns.
Fall safety inspections target workplace hazards in Ontario
TORONTO — Ontario will perform safety blitzes at workplaces across the province this fall. In September and October, inspectors from the Ministry of Labour will visit construction sites to check on supervision.
In October and November, inspectors will be visiting manufacturing and industrial workplaces to review machine guarding hazards and repetitive strain injuries. In October and November, health care workplaces will be inspected for the quality of prevention and control of infections. In November and December, inspectors will look at the transfer of ore in underground mines. During blitzes, inspectors will check on condition and maintenance of safety equipment, worker training, the use of safety equipment and other potential health and safety hazards.
