2022 incident leads to $125k fine for Greater Sudbury company
A mining and civil construction contractor based out of Val Caron has been fined $125,000 for a 2022 incident that led to a workplace injury.
Consbec Inc. pled guilty to a charge of violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act in a Thunder Bay courtroom. The company will also pay a 25% victim fine surcharge.
The incident occurred on April 29, 2022 when Consbec was performing contract work on a project to expand Highway 11/17.
A worker was operating a drill rig that was advancing a series of boreholes in the ditch for explosive rock blasting.
The worker positioned the drill rig on uneven ground with the tracks slightly overhanging a small embankment, then positioned themself between the rig and a rock shoulder.
When the worker extended the boom of the drill rig and set the drill rig mast upright, the rig tipped forward on the uneven ground, striking and critically injuring the worker.
At the time of the incident, the worker’s direct supervisor had briefly left the ditch to return equipment to a nearby storage unit on the same project site.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development investigation determined that Consbec Inc. failed to provide information, instruction or supervision to the worker to protect their health and safety.