Electrical Shock to Worker Results in $80,000 Fine

Electrocution

 

July 16, 2018

On March 31, 2015, two mobile maintenance technicians were tasked with changing a ballast in a Sault Ste Marie cafeteria. The task had been brought to their attention by work order issued by their employer stating that a light was out in the area. The employer is a company that provides property management services.

After receiving the work order, the technicians went to the electrical room to lock out power to the electrical equipment in the area. Believing they had successfully locked out the power, the technicians returned to the cafeteria to change the ballast.

Once at the cafeteria, one of the technicians climbed up a ladder to get to the ballast, which was located in the ceiling. While trying to change the ballast, the technician received an electrical shock and was taken to Sault Area Hospital for treatment of critical injuries.

The employer was found to have violated

• Section 25(2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which requires that an employer provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker.

• Section 25(1)(c) of the act, which requires an employer to ensure that the prescribed measures and procedures are complied with. Section 42(1) of the Ontario Regulation 851(Industrial Establishments) prescribes that the power supply to electrical installations, equipment or conductors shall be disconnected, locked out of service and tagged before any work is done, and while it is being done, on or near live exposed parts of the installations, equipment or conductors.

The company was fined $80,000 plus a 25% victim surcharge.

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Mac’s II Agencies Announce Addition to Project & Specification Sales Team

    Mac’s II Agencies Announce Addition to Project & Specification Sales Team

    July 10, 2025 Mac’s II Agencies is pleased to announce that Drazen Jerkovic will be joining their Project & Specification Sales team in the Lighting Division later this fall. With over 25 years of experience in the lighting and electrical industry, Drazen is a highly respected consultant known for his technical knowledge and deep understanding of project delivery…. Read More…

  • Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    July 7, 2025 Intralec Electrical Products is proud to announce our new partnership with IDEAL Electrical as their sales agency for the Central & Southwestern Ontario regions. As a Canadian manufacturer with over 60 years of experience producing quality products—many of which, like the Can-Twist wire connector and Yellow 77 lubricant, are made in Ajax,… Read More…

  • City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    July 4, 2025 The City of Winnipeg has launched an improved Permits Online web portal. This upgrade aims to make the permit process more convenient for customers. Permits Online is a one-stop shop to manage the permit process. Now, the web portal is easier to use because customers can navigate it using their mobile device. The portal… Read More…

  • Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    July 4, 2025 Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has launched Chapter 3 of its online Sustainability School, a free training program designed to empower its channel ecosystem partners to become leaders in sustainability. This chapter will focus on teaching businesses how to decarbonize and unlock the competitive… Read More…