Gestion Beaumet Inc. Fined $80,000 for Failure to Post Warning Signs

Toronto, Ont. - Gestion Beaumet Inc., a Quebec construction company, was fined a total of $80,000 on October 13, 2010, for failing to post warning signs at a construction project, a violation the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

In June 2008, Gestion Beaumet Inc. was demolishing the decommissioned Hearn Generating Station at 44 Unwin Ave. in Toronto. On June 15, 2008, two people broke into the demolition site while it was closed. One of the trespassers was fatally injured at the site. Police and paramedics were called to rescue the individual. When Ministry of Labour inspectors arrived to investigate, there were no "danger" signs posted to warn workers, including the police and paramedics, about the hazards in the building. There were also no signs warning about the asbestos hazard that was present.

After a trial, Gestion Beaumet Inc. was found guilty of failing, as a constructor, to ensure that signs were posted in prominent locations and in sufficient numbers to warn workers of a hazard on a project. Gestion Beaumet Inc. was also found guilty of failing, as a constructor, to identify an asbestos dust hazard using clearly visible signs.  The company was fined $40,000 for each offense.

The fines were imposed by Justice of the Peace Habte Worku. In addition to the fines, 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

                                    70 Centre St.

                                    Toronto, Ontario

Judge:                         Justice of the Peace Habte Worku

                                   

Date of Conviction:     October 13, 2010

Defendants:                Gestion Beaumet Inc.

Matter:                        Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:                 Ontario Regulation 213/91, Section 44(1)

                                   Ontario Regulation 278/05, Section 15(1)

Crown Counsel:          David McCaskill

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