City of Orillia Fined $50,000 After Worker Injured

Orillia, Ont. - The Corporation of the City of Orillia was fined $50,000 on September 29, 2009, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.

On April 22, 2008, a lighting and sound technician at the Orillia Opera House was trying to descend from a raised audiovisual booth into a change room by way of a hatchway and ladder. On the way through the hatchway, the worker grabbed a hand-hold on the wall.  The hand-hold detached from the wall and the worker fell backwards into the change room about 3.6 metres below.

The Corporation of the City of Orillia pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing to ensure that the hand-hold was securely attached to the wall.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Constance Hartt. 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.

Court Information at a Glance

Location:                    Ontario Court of Justice

                                    595 West St. S.

                                    Orillia, ON

Judge:                        

Justice of the Peace Constance Hartt

Date of Conviction:

September 29, 2009

Defendants:

The Corporation of the City of Orillia

Matter:

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:

OHSA, Section 25(2)(h)

Crown Counsel:

Shantanu Roy