Scarborough fatality leads to $20K fine for supervisor
A fatality at a construction site in Scarborough has led to a fine of $20,000 for the contracting company’s supervisor.
Yuqin Liu, a supervisor with L.Z. Refrigeration Inc., entered a guilty plea relating to charges of violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in a Toronto court. Liu was fined for his role in the accident, and will pay an additional 25 percent victim fine surcharge.
The incident occurred on March 13, 2020 at a site on Birchmount Road in Scarborough.
L.Z. Refrigeration Inc. was hired as a subcontractor to install refrigeration panels for a walk-in, cold storage room at the workplace. On the day of the accident, a worker was by himself operating an elevated work platform (EWP).
At some point, the worker activated the EWP joystick for controlling elevation. The platform elevated and as the EWP continued to rise, the worker became trapped between an overhead beam used to support electrical wires and the elevating platform's guardrail near the control box suffering crushing injuries.
The worker was unable to free himself and succumbed to his injuries.
An investigation by the ministry of Labour found that Yuqin Liu failed as a supervisor to ensure that the worker operated the EWP as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Specifically, Liu failed to ensure the worker was provided with oral and written instructions or training on the operation of an EWP which includes instructions with respect to the owner’s manual.