Belleville roofer banned from construction for fifth fall-protection violation
A Belleville roofer has been banned from working in construction after a fifth violation of Ontario’s fall protection laws.
Steven Bell, a sole proprietor of a roofing company, was given a suspended sentence in a Belleville courtroom. The sentence strips him of the right to work or employ anyone, directly or indirectly, in the construction industry.
The decision comes after inspectors from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development found Bell and two workers working on a residential roofing project in Trenton in September 2020.
The inspector noticed that one of the workers was on the pitched roof of the structure, over three metres from the ground below, without any fall protection.
By failing to ensure workers wore appropriate fall protection equipment, Bell was found to have violated the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Bell had four previous convictions under the act.
On March 11, 2013, a ministry inspector observed three roofers in Belleville, employed by Bell, working at a height of more than three metres without being protected by fall protection. There were no injuries. A $2,000-fine for that conviction has not been paid.
On November 16, 2013, a ministry inspector observed four roofers in Belleville, employed by Bell, working at a height of more than three metres without being protected by fall protection. There were no injuries. The province levied a $4,500-fine, $900 of which is still unpaid.
On October 7, 2015, a ministry inspector observed a roofer in the City of Quinte West, employed by Bell, working at a height of more than three metres without being protected by fall protection. There were no injuries. For that offence, Bell was sentenced to one day of imprisonment and fined $10,000. The fine has not been paid.
On July 22, 2017, a ministry inspector observed a roofer in Belleville, and employed by Bell, working at a height of more than three metres without being protected by fall protection. There were no injuries. For that offence, Bell was sentenced to seven days of imprisonment.
The province considers fall protection contraventions to be 'killer contraventions' under law, and is cracking down on violations.