Workplace Injuries Result In Fines For Two Companies

Released on January 17, 2020

Two employers pleaded guilty to charges in separate violations under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 this week.

On September 9, 2019, Trinidad Drilling Ltd. of Calgary, AB pleaded guilty to contravening subsection 19(4) of the regulations (being an employer, fail to ensure that no worker is permitted to perform work unless the worker has sufficient experience, to perform the work safely and in compliance with the Act and the Regulations or is under close and competent supervision, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).  One additional charge was stayed.

Charges stemmed from a worksite incident that occurred on June 4, 2017, near Torquay.  A worker was injured when a pressurized hose came into contact with a rotating pipe.

The company was fined $200,000 plus a surcharge of $80,000 in Estevan Provincial Court on January 13, 2020.

In an unrelated matter, Thunder Creek Pork Ltd. of Regina pleaded guilty to contravening subsection 116(2) of the regulations (being an employer, fail to ensure that a worker use a fall protection system at a temporary or permanent work area where a worker may fall three metres or more; there is a possibility of injury if a worker falls less than three metres, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).

The company was fined $42,857.15 plus a surcharge of $17,142.85 in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on January 13, 2020.  One other charge was withdrawn.

Charges resulted from an incident on July 18, 2018, at a worksite in Moose Jaw.  A worker was injured after falling from a trailer and landing on a cement floor.

Everyone is responsible for workplace health and safety, with employers having the most care and control in the workplace.   Out-of-province companies operating in Saskatchewan must comply with Saskatchewan’s occupational health and safety regulations.

To report an incident to the Occupational Health and Safety Division, of the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, please call 1-800-567-SAFE (7233).

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For more information, contact:

Gladys Wasylenchuk
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2411
Email: gladys.wasylenchuk@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-519-8411