Employer slapped with $95k fine for three breaches
The Sunrise Regional Health Authority in Saskatchewan has been slapped with a $95,000 fine for violations of occupational health and safety laws for three separate incidents in 2015.
In the first incident, several workers were exposed to a formaldehyde-based disinfectant spill at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.
The health agency pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to ensure there was a competent person, equipment, supplies and personal protective equipment available for the prompt, safe and effective containment, neutralizing and decontamination of the accumulation, spill or leak of hazardous products.
The employer also pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that anyone who works with, or in proximity to a controlled substance, has proper training in the use of the product.
The health region was fined $7,500 on each count, while four other charges were stayed.
In the second incident, a worker suffered serious crushing injuries after her arm became entangled in a laundry conveyer.
The agency pleaded guilty for failing to provide an effective safeguard where a worker could come into contact with a dangerous moving part and was fined $50,000.
The third incident happened at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, where an employee suffered a fractured wrist after her hand was pinned between the handle of a motorized cart and a door jamb.
SHRA pleaded guilty for failing to ensure that only trained operators use powered mobile equipment. It was fined $30,180 while three additional charges were stayed.
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