OHS fines: Penalties imposed for safety violations across Canada

Richmond, B.C. — WorkSafeBC imposed more than $4.4 million in fines against employers in 2009 for violations of British Columbia’s health and safety laws, surpassing the previous record of $4.2 million set in 2007. A total of 211 penalties were imposed against 90 employers, ranging from $1,000 to $250,000. The stiffest penalty in 2009 was imposed against Canadian Natural Resources after a young worker fell from a platform on a drilling rig after it was engulfed in flames. A total of 16 incidents involved a fatality (two employers were penalized separately for a single incident, and there was more than one fatality in two incidents.) Construction firms accounted for 58.7 per cent of all penalties imposed in 2009.

PotashCorp hit with maximum fine in fatal accident

Saskatoon — Fertilizer company PotashCorp was fined $300,000 — the maximum in Saskatchewan — plus a $120,000 victim surcharge after a worker was killed when he drove over a ledge in a mine. PotashCorp had been warned six months before the fatal accident to ensure hazards in the mine were clearly marked. A government inspection found the accident was caused by failure to properly mark hazards, no seatbelts and inadequate training.

Hospital fined $75,000 after nurses injured in fight

Victoria — The Vancouver Island Health Authority was fined $75,000 for failing to take adequate measures to protect employees from workplace violence. The fine stemmed from two separate investigations by WorkSafeBC. Three nurses were injured trying to break up a fight between drunk patients at West Coast General in Port Alberni, B.C., and there were a series of incidents at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital in Nanaimo, B.C., in which workers were put at risk.