The City of Prince Albert has been fined $95,000 after a workplace injury occurred in 2019.
According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, the incident took place on October 17, 2019, at the city’s water treatment plant. An employee was working on a pump when their hand became caught in the machinery, resulting in serious injuries.
An investigation by the ministry found that the city had failed to ensure the safety of its workers by not providing proper training and supervision for the task at hand. The city also did not have adequate safety measures in place to prevent such an accident from occurring.
As a result, the city was charged under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 for failing to provide a safe workplace and for not ensuring that workers were properly trained and supervised.
In addition to the fine, the city has been ordered to conduct a review of its health and safety policies and procedures, as well as provide training for all employees on safe work practices.
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety has emphasized the importance of employers taking responsibility for the safety of their workers. They have also urged all employers to regularly review and update their health and safety policies to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The City of Prince Albert has since taken steps to improve safety measures at the water treatment plant and has cooperated fully with the ministry’s investigation.
The fine serves as a reminder to all employers to prioritize the safety of their workers and to ensure that proper training and safety measures are in place to prevent workplace injuries.
