St Catharines, Ont. - EFCO Canada Co., a Nova Scotia maker of steel forms used in construction, was fined $45,000 on August 21, 2009, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

In March 2008, a constructor was building an intake line from the Welland Canal to the Thorold Cogeneration power site. To do this, they needed to install a cofferdam, a structure built below water level that serves as a dry workplace. EFCO designed and provided the parts for the cofferdam. On March 28, 2008, the constructor had installed the cofferdam and was removing the water inside it when the cofferdam failed. No workers were injured.

An investigation found that the cofferdam failed because certain bolts had not been supplied and installed as required.

EFCO Canada Co. pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing to take the reasonable precaution of providing the bolts necessary to secure the waler plate girders in the cofferdam.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Donna Cowan. 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.

Location:              Ontario Court of Justice

                              59 Church St.

                              St. Catharines, Ont.

Judge:

Justice of the Peace Donna Cowan

Date of Conviction:

August 21, 2009

Defendants:

EFCO Canada Co.

Matter:

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:

OHSA, section 25(2)(h)

Crown Counsel:

Brian Blumenthal