December 2019
A Manitoba employer recently pleaded guilty to:
- Section 16.4(1)(b)(i) of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulations, M.R. 217/2006, to the charge of failing to ensure that a machine and/or tool used in the workplace was used, inspected, and/or operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
A worker was operating a Marvel Spartan Horizontal Metal Cutting Bandsaw. The worker was cutting 45° angle cuts off the ends of metal channel stock to be used in the manufacturing of semi-trailer frames. The worker had clamped a piece of channel stock into the vise of the machine and engaged the saw. The saw lowered and the blade cut through the end of the channel stock at a 45° angle. One of the offcuts fell into the cutting area of the saw and the worker felt that it might damage the cutting blade. The worker reached into the cutting area with a brush and attempted to sweep the offcut away from the blade. As he did this, the blade caught the top of the worker's glove and pulled his hand into the cutting blade. The worker suffered tendon damage and fractures to his left hand.
The employer was fined $25,000, plus an additional $5,000 payable to Workplace Safety and Health to be used for the purpose of educating the public on matters relating to workplace safety and health.
A second Manitoba employer recently pleaded guilty to:
- Section 4(1)(a) of the Workplace Safety and Health Act C.C.S.M. c. W210 to the charge of failing to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare of his worker.
A 19-year-old film actress was working on the set of a movie. The production crew were filming a scene which called for the actress's character to approach a glass panel door and pound the glass with both hands. When the actress ran towards the door, the glass shattered and the actress fell through the broken glass. The actress sustained serious lacerations to her face and neck.
The employer was fined $40,000.
A third Manitoba employer recently pleaded guilty to:
- Section 2.1(1)(a) of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulations, M.R. 217/2006 to the charge of failing to eliminate the risks associated with propane lines to the safety and/or health of its workers through the design of the workplace.
- Section 2.7(1) of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulations, M.R. 217/2006 to the charge of failing to immediately and by the fastest means of communication available notify the Workplace Safety and Health Branch that a serious incident had occurred at the workplace.
A worker was preparing a room in a hog barn in order to receive a shipment of pigs. When the worker turned on the lights to the room, an explosion occurred. The worker was knocked to the ground and lost consciousness. The worker sustained extensive burns to his face, neck and torso. The hog barn sustained significant damage.
The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) notified Workplace Safety and Health two days after the incident occurred. The employer had not notified Workplace Safety and Health of the serious incident.
The employer was fined $14,000, plus an additional $6,000 payable to Workplace Safety and Health to be used for the purpose of educating the public on matters relating to workplace safety and health.
Understanding employer responsibilities related to safety and health is an important part of preventing injuries in the workplace. SAFE Work Manitoba offers injury prevention information, including:
We also provide information on
employer responsibilities related to reporting serious incidents.Find more information here on workplace safety and health prosecutions.
