Fall prompts $22,000 in fines

NORTH BATTLEFORD — Two Saskatchewan companies received penalties totalling more than $22,000 in connection with the fall-related injury of a worker more than two years ago.

The fines, issued in November, follow an incident at a building construction site in North Battleford, Saskatchewan on June 30, 2009. A worker employed by Clark Roofing (1964) Ltd. sustained serious injuries when he fell through an unprotected opening in a roof, notes a statement from the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety in Regina.

Lyle V. Schell Construction Management Services Ltd. was fined $12,600 after pleading guilty to the following failures under Saskatchewan’s Occupational Health and Safety Act: ensure a roof opening through which a worker could step or fall was protected; ensure all workers were sufficiently and competently supervised; and establish an oh&s committee at a construction site where 10 or more employees or self-employed persons work or are likely to work for more than 90 days. Four other charges were stayed.

For its part, Saskatoon-based Clark Roofing was ordered to pay $10,000 after pleading guilty to twice breaching the OH&S Act: failing to ensure the opening was protected and failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of a worker. Two charges were stayed.

The ministry reports that fall-related injuries represent almost 13 per cent of all reported work injuries in Saskatchewan.

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