Canadian Occupational Safety

www.thesafetymag.com/ca 7 MULTIPLE DOLLARAMA STORES IN QUEBEC HIT WITH COVID-19 FINES THE Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), the organization that administers Quebec's OHS safety plan, launched a campaign in October 2020 to increase awareness of COVID-19 prevention measures among workers in Quebec. For example, it launched a number of advertisements and announcements to educate the general public about COVID-19 guidelines. On Jan. 14, the CNESST announced that it had inspected a number of Dollarama locations. The organization said it had visited 68 Dollarama locations in Quebec since March 2020. It has issued 124 correction notices since March 13. The CNESST says that, in addition, nine Dollarama stores in the regions of Gaspésie, Yamaska, Saint-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu, Valleyfield, Saguenay and the Capitale-Nationale have been hit with 11 fines. Infractions were not specified. The CNESST says this initiative was part of its desire to protect the health and safety of workers. To do so, it has launched an intensive inspection campaign in the province to fight against the spread of COVID-19. In January 2021, Ontario's Ministry of Labour also announced that it would be picking up the pace of its workplace inspections to help curb the spread of the disease. The Ministry announced a particular focus on big-box stores in Toronto, Hamilton, Peel, York and Durham. "We know most businesses are operating responsibly and taking the necessary steps to protect their workers and customers, and I want to thank them for their efforts. Where we find an employer who has been acting in bad faith, we won't hesitate to take action by immediately slapping them with a ticket and a fine. There will be real consequences for those who break the rules," said Ontario Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton. On Jan. 15, the CNESST also announced that it had undertaken a workplace inspection at a VEGPRO International worksite in Saint-Patrice- de-Sherrington, which is currently facing a COVID-19 outbreak. Inspectors noted that the worksite is currently respecting COVID-19 guidelines and has allowed for the factory to continue operating under strict guidelines. "The government wants to send a clear message: Sanitary measures need to be respected in all workplaces to curtail the pandemic … In all workplaces, big or small, we need to remain vigilant. No one is above the law," said Quebec Minister of Labour Jean Boulet. "The CNESST aids in enforcing compliance with health measures through the deployment of workplace inspectors in the field in every corner of Quebec. Our mandate is to protect workers' health and ensure their physical safety," said Manuelle Oudar, director and head of CNESST's executive board. Worker dies after clearing teeth of a baler Saskatchewan company Sommer Green Forages was fined $50,000 along with a surcharge of $20,000 after pleading guilty to one count under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 for the death of one worker. The incident occurred in October 2019, when a worker became entangled while clearing the teeth on the roller of a baler, resulting in the worker's death. The Saskatoon company was charged with contravening subsection 139(1) of the regulations. Failing to comply resulted in the death of a worker. Three other charges were stayed. "Sanitary measures need to be respected in all workplaces to curtail the pandemic … In all workplaces, big or small, we need to remain vigilant." Jean Boulet, Quebec's Minister of Labour Ontario manufacturer fined $150K for fatal injury Miska Trailer Factory, based in Hamilton, Ont., was fined in December 2020 following a guilty plea in Ontario Court of Justice in Hamilton. The manufacturer was facing charges relating to an incident in which a worker was fatally injured when they were electrocuted after coming into contact with live powerlines. The incident occurred on March 21, 2019. Miska was fined $150K, and the court also imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, required by the Provincial Offences Act and which will be credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime. Steel company pleads guilty following worker death Inland Steel Products Inc. was fined $90,000 with a $36,000 surcharge after pleading guilty to one count under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 for an incident that caused the death of one worker. The charge stems from an Oct. 19, 2018 incident, when one worker died after a machine he was servicing in the RM of Corman Park came in contact with a power line. The company admitted violating clause 19(1)(b) of the regulations. The employer submitted the guilty plea before the Saskatoon Provincial Court on Nov. 4, 2020.

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