An Ontario construction worker has been fined $1,500.00 after jumping from a hoist tower to a nearby roof. Unfortunately for the worker, a Ministry of Labour inspector saw him do it.
The worker was wearing a fall protection harness and lanyard, but the lanyard was not tied off. He was approximately 50 feet above the ground when he jumped.
The worker pleaded guilty to failing to be adequately protected by a method of fall protection while exposed to a fall of more than three metres (9.8 feet).
This case shows that workers can incur significant fines for safety violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act particularly where, as in this case, death or serious injury could have resulted.
The Ministry of Labour’s press release may be accessed here.
