A Concord company has been hit with a $250,000 fine in connection with the death of an employee.

On Nov. 12 in the Ontario Court of Justice, Con-Drain Company (1983) Limited was convicted of failing to ensure that signs were posted in conspicuous places at the work site warning of the danger posed by reversing vehicles, a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The death occurred in March 2005 at a new subdivision being built on Via Campanile near Rutherford Rd. where Con-Drain was installing sewer lines. The employee was killed by a reversing 54-tonne crawler crane.

The victim, who was standing behind the crane talking to another worker, was run over by the crane’s track and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court imposed a 25-percent victim fine surcharge on top of the $250,000 penalty.

Under the Provincial Offences Act, the surcharge is deposited in a provincial fund meant to assist victims of crime.

Vaughan Today
In print: November 21, 2008, page 2
Online: November 24, 2008 [link]