Two Calgary building companies fined $168,000 each for workplace safety violations.
Written by HR News Canada on January 23, 2025
Two Calgary construction companies have been fined $168,000 each for violating the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act after a workplace incident that resulted in serious injuries to a worker. The penalties were imposed by the Calgary Court of Justice on January 16.
Ihawk Construction Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker, contrary to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The fine imposed on the company includes a compensatory surcharge. Twelve additional charges against the company under the OHS laws were withdrawn by the Crown. Utopia Construction Inc., the main contractor for the project, admitted that it did not have a system or process in place to ensure compliance with OHS laws. The company was fined $168,000, including the victim surcharge. The Crown withdrew two additional charges against Utopia Construction. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on January 2, 2023, at a residential construction site in Calgary. A worker using an unsecured portable ladder near an exposed floor opening fell into the basement after the ladder slipped and fell through the hole. The worker suffered life-changing injuries.
In the same case, the Crown dropped 13 SST charges against Rajwinder Kaur, an employer, and two charges against Rajwinder Singh, a supervisor. Under Alberta's occupational health and safety laws, employers and principal contractors are required to ensure safety in the workplace. Charges can be laid if violations result in serious injury or death.
The companies and the Crown have a month to appeal convictions or fines.
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