Two Saskatchewan employers were hit with fines this month for breaching occupational safety legislation, which contributed to two serious accidents.
The first accident occurred June 18, 2020, when a worker in Fillmore was standing on a ladder which slipped, leading to a fall and serious injuries.
On Sept. 2 of this year, the worker’s employer — Zbigniew Gromek, operating as Double G Painting — was found guilty in Weyburn Provincial Court of two breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, including a clause requiring employers to ensure portable ladders are secured against accidental movement whenever they are in use.
As a result, the company was fined a total of $8,400.
The second, unrelated incident occurred Nov. 14, 2019, when a worker in Wood Mountain made contact with an energized power line and was seriously injured.
On Sept. 8 of this year, the employer in that case, Bill Goodtrack, pleaded guilty in Assiniboia Provincial Court to violating a clause in the regulations which requires employers to provide information, instruction, training and supervision as needed for worker safety.
Goodtrack was fined a total of $14,000.
“Employers are required to provide safe and healthy workplaces, and must provide information, training and supervision necessary for employees to perform their jobs safely,” the provincial government said in a statement.