Cases & Lessons From the Courts
Real court decisions show what happens when health and safety duties are not taken seriously. These cases are not about blame—they are tools to help employers, supervisors, and workers understand what due diligence looks like in practice.
Use this page to find cases you can bring into toolbox talks, supervisor meetings, and training sessions. Each lesson is written in plain language and linked to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Browse Cases by Topic
Choose a topic that matches the type of work or training you are planning. Each topic links to detailed case write-ups on the blog with key facts, legal findings, and practical takeaways.
Traffic Control & Mobile Equipment
Cases involving rock trucks, signallers, spotters, and workers on foot in active work zones.
Equipment, Layout & Clearances
Cases where tanks, materials, or equipment were placed too close to walls, walkways, or work areas.
Falls & Working at Heights
Incidents where guardrails, lifelines, or fall protection procedures were missing or not enforced.
Supervisor & Employer Due Diligence
Cases that focus on what supervisors and employers did—or failed to do—under the OHSA.
Featured Cases
These cases work well as starting points for supervisor meetings or toolbox talks. Each one has a clear narrative and obvious lessons for planning, supervision, and worker training.
Traffic Control – Rock Truck Incident
A construction worker was fatally struck by a rock truck when the designated signaller turned away to perform other duties. The court examined the roles of the signaller, the operator, and the employer.
- Signaller cannot multitask.
- Operators must stop when they lose sight of the signaller.
- Employers must ensure clear procedures and training for traffic control.
Propane Tank – Worker Pinned Against Wall
A worker was fatally pinned between a 1,000-gallon steel propane tank and the brick wall of a building during routine work. The case focused on layout, clearances, and hazard controls.
- Verify layout and clearances before bringing in large equipment or tanks.
- Use barriers, spotters, and safe zones to separate workers from moving loads.
- Supervisors must stop work when space or visibility is inadequate.
Working at Heights – Guardrails Not Installed
A worker fell from height where guardrails and lifelines were missing. The decision highlights the supervisor’s duty to make sure fall protection is in place before work begins.
- Assess fall hazards before starting the job.
- Verify that guardrails, anchors, and lifelines are installed and used.
- Document inspections and corrective actions as part of due diligence.
Using Cases in Your Training Program
Basically, what this means is that we are turning legal decisions into practical tools. The goal is not to frighten people—it is to show how courts interpret the OHSA when something goes wrong so supervisors and employers can take every precaution reasonable before an incident.
- Open a toolbox talk with the story. Describe the workplace, the task, and what went wrong in simple language.
- Ask “Could this happen here?” Compare the case to your own equipment, layouts, or procedures.
- Connect to roles and duties. Link each case back to employer, supervisor, and worker responsibilities under the OHSA.
- Identify specific controls. Guardrails, spotters, blocking off areas, written procedures, checklists, and supervision.
- Capture action items. Decide what needs to change on your site and assign deadlines and responsibilities.