May 20, 2009

Fer-Pal Construction fined in Burlington watermain accident

BURLINGTON

Fer-Pal Construction Ltd., a Toronto company that does watermain construction, was fined $90,000 on May 12 for violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), after a worker was injured.

On June 19, 2008, Fer-Pal Construction was working on White Pines Drive in Burlington on a project to reline the watermain in the area. A worker was working in an excavation pit where a 30.5 centimetre (12 inch) watermain pipe had been capped with a coupling device fitted with a fabricated steel plate.

The watermain was supposed to be shut off, but a leaky gate valve allowed air and water to accumulate behind the cap and coupling device. The coupling device exploded off the watermain and struck the worker in the head, causing serious injury even though he was wearing a hard hat.

A Ministry of Labour investigation determined that the coupling device was not designed to be used as a cap, or designed to withstand the water/air pressure built up behind the cap.

The investigation also found that Fer-Pal Construction did not have a supervisor or other competent person to act on its behalf, on site, at the time of the workplace injury.

Fer-Pal Construction Ltd. pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing, as an employer, to ensure there was a supervisor to supervise the work at all times.

Fer-Pal was fined $10,000 on this count. It also pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing to ensure that equipment was used in accordance with any operating manuals issued by the manufacturer. The company was fined $80,000 on this count.

DCN NEWS SERVICES

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