Ontario Construction News staff writer
Two construction companies have been fined a combined $85,000 after workers were exposed to elevated carbon monoxide levels at a Toronto construction project, according to an Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development court bulletin.
Fieldgate Construction Management Inc., the constructor on the project, was fined $55,000, while subcontractor Metro Concrete Works was fined $30,000. Both companies pleaded guilty in the Provincial Offences Court in Toronto, the bulletin states.
The convictions stem from an incident on July 4, 2023, at a project at 5868 Yonge St. to build a new car dealership and three-level parking garage.
According to the bulletin, Metro was contracted to install an approximately three-inch concrete topping layer over the structural concrete floor. Workers were finishing the concrete using hand tools and gasoline-powered concrete finishing machines when a Metro worker and several other workers began feeling unwell.
Emergency Medical Services attended the site and treated multiple workers for carbon monoxide exposure, the bulletin states.
Toronto Fire Services tested the air in the parking garage and found elevated carbon monoxide levels before ventilating the building, according to the bulletin.
The bulletin states that Fieldgate and Metro were testing and monitoring air quality in the garage, but initial testing showed workers had been exposed to carbon monoxide levels above applicable limits.
A ministry investigation found that Level P2, where workers were operating gasoline-powered concrete finishing equipment, was not being adequately tested for airborne carbon monoxide concentrations as required under Ontario Regulation 213/91, according to the court bulletin.
Fieldgate was convicted of failing, as constructor, to ensure prescribed measures and procedures were carried out. Metro was convicted of failing, as an employer, to ensure compliance with the same requirement.
Justice of the Peace Esther N. Daniel imposed the fines on Aug. 28, 2026. The court also imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required under the Provincial Offences Act, the bulletin states.
