City of Regina fined $100,000, issues apology after worker hurt on the job

City hall in Regina. Photo: Google Streetview

The City of Regina has been fined a total of $100,000 after one of its workers was seriously injured on the job.

On Dec. 18, 2020, a workplace incident occurred in Regina when a worker suffered serious injuries when a 3,000 pound crate fell, pinning the worker against other crates in the area, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety told OHS Canada. 

The crate contained glass for bus shelters, and was being unloaded from a container at the time of the incident.

“The City of Regina extends a public apology to this individual injured on the job, accepts responsibility for the unsafe conditions that led to those injuries and remains fully committed to protecting the health and safety of our workers,” said Barry Lacey, executive director of financial sustainability at the City of Regina, during a press conference.

The City of Regina pleaded guilty in Regina Provincial Court on Feb. 8 for contravening clause 12(b) of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 (being an employer at a place of employment, fail to make arrangements for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles in a manner that protects the health and safety of workers, resulting in the serious injury of a worker), according to a provincial spokesperson.

As a result, the Court imposed a fine of $71,428.57 with a $28,571.43 surcharge for a total amount of $100,000.