Worker was hit by reversing dump truck
Ontario employer 769550 Ontario Ltd., operating as Ottawa Pavemaster, has been fined $115,000 after one of its workers died on the job.
The incident occurred on August 15, 2023, while Ottawa Pavemaster was completing a driveway paving project.
A company worker involved in the project was walking along Desmond Avenue when he was fatally struck by a reversing dump truck.
The truck was operated by another company employee, who was backing up approximately 200 feet to connect to a float—a trailer used to haul drivable equipment.
The driver was reversing the truck without the assistance of a signaller, another worker responsible for watching and alerting the driver to possible hazards. This failure led to the worker being fatally struck.
“The company failed to ensure the driver of the truck was assisted by a signaller, contrary to Section 104(3) of Ontario Regulation 213/91, an offence under Section 66(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA),” said the Ontario government. “Section 25(1)(c) of the Act states that ‘an employer shall ensure that the measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace.’”
Section 104(3) of the regulation states: Operators of vehicles, machines and equipment shall be assisted by signallers if either of the following applies:
- The operator’s view of the intended path of travel is obstructed.
- A person could be endangered by the vehicle, machine or equipment, or by its load.
Meanwhile, Section 66(1) of the OHSA states: Subject to subsections (2) and (2.1), every person who contravenes or fails to comply with,
(a) a provision of this Act or the regulations;
(b) an order or requirement of an inspector or a Director; or
(c) an order of the Minister,
is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $500,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than twelve months, or to both.
