Ontario Construction News staff writer
A Quebec-based fencing contractor has been fined $65,000 after two workers were injured on an Ottawa job site in 2021.
The company, 7143818 Ontario Inc., which operates as Regional Fence, was convicted of failing to ensure worker safety under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development said.
The incident happened on Oct. 5, 2021, while Regional Fence crews were installing fencing at several sites along OC Transpo’s light rail line. At the Corkstown Yard Light Maintenance and Storage Facility near Moodie Station, workers were off-loading 24 fence panels from a trailer.
The ministry said the panels, each weighing nearly 27 kilograms, were stored upright in racks. After two panels were removed, the remaining stack fell forward, striking and injuring two workers.
Investigators determined the company had failed to move the fencing in a way that did not endanger workers.
In addition to the $65,000 fine, the court imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, which goes into a provincial fund to support victims of crime.