A supervisor with an asbestos abatement company, and his employer, have pleaded guilty to charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and were fined, after workers were exposed to asbestos dust on a job site.
The supervisor was fined $4,000.00 after pleading guilty to failing to ensure workers used protective clothing and equipment.
Three workers were working on an asbestos abatement project at a single-family home. The abatement area was enclosed. In that area, certain asbestos containing materials had been removed and there was an asbestos dust hazard present.
A Ministry of Labour inspector attended and conducted an inspection. The inspector found one of the workers exiting the enclosed area wearing street clothing. Two other workers were found inside the enclosed area not wearing protective clothing; one was performing clean-up and the other was securing bags filled with asbestos-containing material.
The Ministry of Labour, in its press release, states that "There is potential for harm when workers and others are exposed to even small amounts of asbestos."
The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that only persons wearing protective clothing and equipment enter a work area where there is an asbestos dust hazard. The company was fined $25,000.00.
The Ministry of Labour generally does not put out a press release for cases involving a fine of less than $50,000.00. It appears from this and other press releases in asbestos cases, though, that the MOL may make an exception for cases involving asbestos.
The Ministry of Labour's press release may be read here.
For more information, visit our Occupational Health & Safety Law blog at www.occupationalhealthandsafetylaw.com
About Dentons
Dentons is a global firm driven to provide you with the competitive edge in an increasingly complex and interconnected marketplace. We were formed by the March 2013 combination of international law firm Salans LLP, Canadian law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC) and international law firm SNR Denton.
Dentons is built on the solid foundations of three highly regarded law firms. Each built its outstanding reputation and valued clientele by responding to the local, regional and national needs of a broad spectrum of clients of all sizes – individuals; entrepreneurs; small businesses and start-ups; local, regional and national governments and government agencies; and mid-sized and larger private and public corporations, including international and global entities.
Now clients benefit from more than 2,500 lawyers and professionals in 79 locations in 52 countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and the CIS, the UK and the US who are committed to challenging the status quo to offer creative, actionable business and legal solutions.
Learn more at www.dentons.com
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. Specific Questions relating to this article should be addressed directly to the author.
