Back to SearchThe City of Prince Albert has pleaded guilty in Provincial Court to a violation of the Saskatchewan Health and Safety Act stemming from an incident in September 2022. The City accepted a fine of $67,857 and will also be responsible for a court surcharge of $27,143.
The incident occurred when an employee, standing upright on the ledge of a retaining wall, reached down with a metal bar to unhook the nozzle of a hose under tension in a storm line outlet. As the nozzle was lifted free, the hose retracted swiftly, pulling the employee over the side of the retaining wall.
In response to the incident, the City of Prince Albert has developed a new safe work practice involving the use of a mobile fall arrest system for use in similar circumstances, which the Crown acknowledged was now a leading standard in the Province. Don Wood, Health, Safety, and Environment Coordinator for the City of Prince Albert, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “One workplace incident is too many. The safety of our employees is an ongoing commitment, and we acknowledge the significance of this incident, the impact it has had on the individual and the responsibility we have to ensure our employees are properly trained and equipped to perform their jobs safely.”
Saskatchewan’s Occupational Health and Safety legislation underscores the importance of workplace safety and is designed to deter future incidents. The legislation requires employers to continuously train and equip workers in dynamic and varied work environments to ensure their safety. The substantial fine reflects the seriousness of the incident and resulting injuries.
“Our employees operate in various workspaces and surroundings, presenting unique and sometimes dangerous circumstances,” Wood added. “While this incident was the consequence of rare circumstances, the resulting procedure equips our employees with a better standard going forward and will serve as a tool for other workplaces in Saskatchewan to help improve the safety of employees across the province.”
The fine will be paid from the City’s Fiscal Stabilization fund.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Don Wood
Health, Safety, and Environment Coordinator
City of Prince Albert
P: 306.953.4360
Subscribe