Blog
Practical insights on health and safety for Ontario construction employers and supervisors — from COR certification to policy writing.
Punch Press, No Guard — Larkin Storage Fined $65,000 for Missing the Obvious
A worker at Larkin Storage and Retail Equipment's Alexandria plant was injured by an unguarded punch press. The company's own incident report listed the missing guard as a cause. Ontario Regulation 851 requires a guard. There wasn't one. That's a $65,000 fine.
Three Warning Signs Ignored — Critical Fall at Glencore's Nickel Rim South Mine
Before a worker fell from a scissor truck platform at Glencore's mine near Sudbury, the crew had already found a missing railing pin, damaged the railing further with an improper technique, and skipped muck clearance. Ontario court: $120,000 fine for failing to take the most basic precaution.
The Lid Flew Off — Why Isocyanate Training Is Non-Negotiable in Ontario
A Genaire worker was put on painting duties with an isocyanate paint mix and given no training. Three days later, a sealed container exploded and injured them seriously. Ontario court case: $60,000 fine for a company that skipped the one thing Ontario Regulation 860 requires before the work begins.
Standing Inside the Coil — A $135,000 Lesson in Cable Removal Safety
A DMC Mining worker was injured when a coiling power cable tightened around them in a mine shaft near Sudbury. The company lacked a procedure that addressed how workers should position themselves during cable removal. Ontario court: $135,000 fine.
Toolbar Hits Powered Lift, Worker Falls 14 Feet — The Conveyor Didn't Stop for Anyone
A Stobag North America worker was ascending a powered lift to investigate an electrical issue when a seven-metre overhead conveyor toolbar struck the platform, tilted it, and sent the worker falling 14 feet. No harness. No conveyor lockout. Critical injuries. Ontario court: $50,000 fine.
Steel Coil Falls on Worker — $125,000 Fine for the Unguarded Zone Between Two Machines
A Nelson Steel worker entered the space between a turnstile and a down-ender table to repair a coil. A coworker at the controls inadvertently activated the pusher. The coil fell on the worker. No guard existed between the machines. The company complied with a Ministry order to guard the area after the injury — confirming it was always possible.
Unbraced Concrete Wall Collapse — What the Law Says Must Happen After You Cut
A worker was critically injured when an unbraced cut concrete wall section collapsed at a King, Ontario residential addition project. E.H.E. Construction Group left it standing — no bracing, workers nearby. Ontario law says that's a $140,000 mistake.
Forklift Hits Worker in Shared Pathway — Yellow Lines Are Not Separation
A National Logistics Services worker was critically injured by a reversing forklift in a Brampton facility's 'MHE Pathway' — a shared zone marked by painted floor lines. Both workers had been trained. The court said training isn't the issue. The system design is.
The Contractor You Hired Could Be Your Biggest Liability — Here's How to Change That
When you bring a contractor onto your worksite, you don't just bring their crew — you bring their risks. Here's how to manage procurement and contractor relationships the right way.
Scalded in a Cambridge Pit — The Ladder Was There, Just Not Inside the Excavation
A Fer-Pal Construction worker was seriously injured by 65°C water in a Cambridge excavation and couldn't get out fast enough — because the ladder was sitting at grade, not inside the pit. $147,000 in fines for a company and supervisor who missed the most basic requirement.
Worker Assaulted at El Furniture Warehouse — No Program, No Radios, No Security
A host at El Furniture Warehouse in London was assaulted while asking a patron to leave. The company had no violence procedures, no communication tools, no security on duty, and hadn't done a violence risk assessment — even after previous incidents at the same location. Ontario court: $55,000 fine.
Untrained Crane Operator Drops a Concrete Post — Sega Group Fined $50,000 in Ottawa
A worker was injured when a concrete streetlight post toppled during hoisting on an Ottawa project. The crane truck operator had no certification and not enough experience to safely manage the lift. Ontario Regulation 213/91 is clear on what's required before anyone operates a crane on a construction site.
How to Write a Health and Safety Policy That Actually Means Something
Most health and safety policies I've seen over my 20+ years of auditing Ontario job sites have one thing in common — they're written for the filing cabinet, not the worker.
Why Most COR Programs Fail — And It's Not the Paperwork
The gap between what's written and what's actually happening on site — that's what gets you.
Ready to Build a Better Safety Program?
Access our full library of resources, templates, and tools designed for Ontario construction employers.