Workplace Fatality Results in Fines for Two Saskatchewan Companies

Released on March 16, 2021

On February 4, 2021, Norwood Developments Ltd. and Capella Cabinetry Inc. both pleaded guilty to violating legislation stemming from a workplace fatality.

The workplace fatality occurred on June 29, 2018, in Corman Park, Saskatchewan, when a worker was fatally injured after falling through an unsecured opening in a floor.

As a result of this fatality, Norwood Developments Ltd. was charged with contravening sub clause 3-12(a)(ii) of The Saskatchewan Employment Act (being a contractor, fail to ensure, insofar as is reasonably practicable, that every work process or procedure carried on at every place of employment or worksite where an employer, employer's worker or self-employed person works pursuant to a contract between the contractor and the employer or self-employed person that is not in the direct and complete control of an employer or self-employed person under contract with the contractor, is safe for, without risk to the health of, and adequate with regard to facilities for the welfare of, all employers, workers or self-employed persons at the place of employment, resulting in the death of a worker).

This charge led to a fine of $65,000 along with a surcharge of $26,000, for a total amount of $91,000.

Additionally, Capella Cabinetry Inc. was charged on the same date for the same incident for contravening subsection 91(1) of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 (where there is a risk of injury to the head of a worker, fail to provide approved industrial headwear and require a worker to use it, resulting in the death of a worker).

As a result of this charge, Capella Cabinetry Inc. was fined $40,000 with a $16,000 surcharge, for a total amount of $56,000.

Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, in partnership with the Workers' Compensation Board, supports and promotes Mission: Zero - zero workplace injuries, zero fatalities and zero suffering.  We are all responsible for keeping ourselves and each other safe and healthy at work.

To learn more about safety in the workplace, visit www.worksafesask.ca.

-30-

For more information, contact: