July 18, 2012 11:00 AM
On October 12, 2010, a mall was under construction in Waterloo. Workers from Waterloo North Hydro Inc. had installed transformers on site and were attempting to send power from a transformer in one location to a transformer in another location. As power was sent to the second transformer, a worker for an electrical contractor was in the area routing a metal tape through a duct. The tape came into contact with a newly energized electrical conductor and caused an arc flash. The worker was badly burned.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that an adequate job plan for energizing the transformers had not been documented. A job plan would have identified all known hazards and implemented controls for each hazard to protect workers from injury.
Waterloo North Hydro Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to establish and implement an adequate job plan prior to installing and energizing the transformers.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Ruth Legate Exon. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
Court Information at a Glance
Location: Ontario Court of Justice
77 Queen St. N
Kitchener, ON
Judge: Justice of the Peace Ruth Legate Exon
Date of Sentencing: July 16, 2012
Defendant: Waterloo North Hydro Inc.
Matter: Occupational Health and Safety
Conviction: Ontario Regulation 213/91, Section 181(1)
Occupational Health and Safety Act, Section 23(1)(a)
Crown Counsel: Kikee Malik
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