Worker fell onto a concrete floor while replacing torsion springs
Mallard Diversified Services Inc., a Saskatchewan non-profit organization, has been fined $8,000 following a worker's serious injury in a ladder-related fall, according to the Government of Saskatchewan.
The organization that provides support to adults with intellectual disabilities pleaded guilty on July 22, 2026, in Wynyard Provincial Court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, the Government of Saskatchewan said in a release.
The company was charged with contravening clause 16-6(2)(b) of the regulations for failing, as an employer, to ensure that a portable ladder was secured against accidental movement during use, resulting in a serious injury to a worker.
The charge stemmed from a worksite incident on May 10, 2024, in Wadena, when a worker fell off a ladder onto a concrete floor while replacing torsion springs on an overhead door, the Government of Saskatchewan said.
As a result of the guilty plea, the court imposed a fine of $5,714.29 plus a victim fine surcharge of $2,285.71, for a total penalty of $8,000. Two additional charges connected to the incident were withdrawn.
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety said it works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, intervention and enforcement.
Ladder safety tips
Here are some things that employers can tell workers to ensure their safety while working on ladders, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS):
- Conduct a risk assessment when working at heights. It may be necessary to use fall protection equipment while working on a ladder.
- Check the load rating that is marked on the stepladder. The rating should cover the person's weight and the weight of tools that will be used.
- Use a stepladder that is about 1 m (3 ft) shorter than the highest point you have to reach. This length of ladder gives a wider, more stable base and places shelf at a convenient working height.
- Check the ladder for racks, loose or corroded rivets, defective braces, or parts (including the slip resistant feet) that are in poor condition. Make sure it is free of grease or oil or other slippery substances.
- Open the stepladder spreaders and shelf fully and lock the braces.
- Check stability. Make sure that all ladder feet are on a firm, level, and non-slippery surface.
- Place a stepladder at right angles to the work, with either the front or back of the steps facing the work.
- Keep the stepladder close to the work.
