Electrical Safety Concerns Lead to Shutdown of Ontario Power Plant Construction Site

Gas Plant Scandal

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour issued two stop-work orders at an Eastern Power Ltd. plant near Sarnia, ON, according to a recent report in The Globe and Mail. The stop-work orders indicate Eastern was exposing workers to live electrical equipment without telling them and not following proper procedures.

Days earlier workers had walked off the job because of poor safety practices and reprisals against workers who complained. In the last two years, the ministry had already written 196 orders on safety hazards at the site.

According to The Globe and Mail, electricians who work at the site say Eastern has few safety procedures in place to control who has access to electrical equipment.“They don’t even follow their own lockout procedure. They hand out keys like candy,” said Jeremy Robertson, a foreman at the site. “We had to fight with them just to have them put locks on equipment… zero communication between management and the people actually doing the job.”

Electrician Wesley Segade said electrical panels are often connected to power without anyone telling the people working on them. On one occasion, he said, an apprentice nearly began working on an electrical cabinet charged with 125 volts without knowing it was live. Luckily, he said, she checked it with a voltage tester beforehand and discovered the danger.

“She could have been burnt or hurt or even killed,” he was quoted as saying.

Read the full article: www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-liberals-gas-plants-scandal-everything-you-need-to-know/article23668386/?from=26142024.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Canada Invests in Deep Energy Retrofits for Affordable Housing in Hamilton

    Canada Invests in Deep Energy Retrofits for Affordable Housing in Hamilton

    March 13, 2025 There is a need and an opportunity for Canada to strengthen energy security and affordability for all Canadians. Canada’s buildings sector is the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions across the country. By increasing the scale and pace of building retrofits, we can make homes and buildings more energy-efficient and improve reliability in units.  The federal… Read More…

  • Tesla Products Excluded from BC Hydro Incentive Program

    Tesla Products Excluded from BC Hydro Incentive Program

    March 13, 2025 CBC has reported that BC Hydro is excluding Tesla products from their EV charger incentive program. However, products purchased prior to March 12 will still be eligible. “As of March 12, Tesla chargers, energy storage batteries and inverters are not eligible for rebates, according to B.C. Hydro. Those who have purchased or… Read More…

  • Acuity Rebrands and Introduces New Corporate Identity

    Acuity Rebrands and Introduces New Corporate Identity

    March 13, 2025 Acuity Brands, Inc.’s corporate name is changing from Acuity Brands, Inc. to Acuity Inc. effective March 26, 2025. Acuity will continue to operate through two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), formerly Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG). They will continue trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “AYI”. “Acuity is positioned for long term growth…. Read More…

  • IDEAL Electrical™ Unveils Fresh, Modern Brand Identity

    IDEAL Electrical™ Unveils Fresh, Modern Brand Identity

    March 7, 2025 IDEAL Electrical was the first company to obtain a patent to make and sell wire connectors in the United States 96 years ago this month – and today IDEAL® announces a modern look for the brand, which captures the company’s spirit of relentless innovation and the optimistic future of the electrical trade. … Read More…