Blumenort-based Imperial Metal Industries Inc. has been ordered to pay $70,000 in fines and penalties as a result of a workplace incident that occurred in August of 2016. The company was one of two businesses that were recently prosecuted for violations of The Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations.
Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade is reminding employers to ensure that workplaces are safe and workers are adequately trained and supervised to perform their duties after two employers were prosecuted for violations of The Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations. Because of these prosecutions, penalties totaling more than $107,000 were ordered by the courts.
On May 24, 2016, a contracted worker for Flin Flon-based Superior General Partner Inc. was performing maintenance on a propane pump truck in a maintenance garage. The vehicle had been parked in the garage since the previous evening, during which time residual propane from the dispensing system of the pump truck unknowingly seeped into the garage. When the worker lit an oxygen/acetylene cutting torch, it caused an immediate explosion and the worker suffered serious injuries. Debris from the explosion spread over a city block, posing a threat to public safety. In February 2019, Superior General Partner Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety and health of members of the public in relation to their workplace activities. The employer was ordered to pay $70,000 in fines and penalties.
On Aug. 15, 2016, Blumenort-based Imperial Metal Industries Inc. workers were moving a large steel frame with the assistance of an overhead crane. A master link of a chain used to lift the frame disengaged from the hoist hook, causing the frame to fall and pin one worker to the ground. The worker sustained serious injuries. In February 2019, Imperial Metal Industries Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to provide the necessary equipment required to move the identified frame, and for failing to provide an employee with adequate training and supervision while he operated and worked in close proximity to the overhead crane. The employer was ordered to pay $37,550 in fines and penalties.
More information on workplace safety and health and The Workplace Safety and Health Act is available at gov.mb.ca.
