Walkerton company fined $75K for workplace injuries
A Walkerton company has been fined $75,000 for its role in an incident that injured seven workers in 2021.
John Ernewein Limited, which performs agricultural and commercial contracting, entered a guilty plea in provincial court. In addition to the fine, the company will pay a 25-percent victim fine surcharge that is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
The incident occurred on March 30, 2021. The company was involved in the construction of an agricultural barn.
Approximately 15 workers were installing wooden trusses. During the work, 27 trusses collapsed. One worker was critically injured; six others received minor injuries.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development found that the trusses were not adequately braced.
The company was found to be in breach of 23(1)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.