Dan Bailey Oilfield & Road Construction Ltd., based in Hinton, was sentenced to pay $75,750 (U.S. $66,132) by a provincial judge in Stony Plain. The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker and was fined $5,000 plus a $750 victim fine surcharge. In addition, the company was instructed to pay $70,000 (U.S. $61,113) to the Hinton Healthcare Foundation.
The judgment results from a provincial government investigation into an incident in which a welder was repairing a hole in the top of a cargo tank. An explosion occurred, causing serious injury to the worker.
Cavan Contractors Ltd., based in Edmonton, was sentenced to pay $40,750 (U.S. $35,576) by a provincial judge in Sherwood Park. The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that a securely installed covering or a guardrail and toe boards protected an opening through which a worker could fall.
Cavan Contractors Ltd. was fined $5,000 plus a $750 victim fine surcharge, and was instructed to pay $17,500 (U.S. $15,278) to East Central Health and $17,500 to Wainwright's Blessed Sacrament School.
The judgment results from a provincial government investigation into an April 24, 2003, incident on a construction site in Wainwright. Two workers fell about 5 meters through a temporary floor covering when it collapsed, and one of them suffered a broken leg.
To improve workplace safety, the Government of Alberta has increased penalties for violations, hired additional safety officers, recognized the province's safest employers and promoted workplace safety awareness.
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