HUTTERIAN CORPORATION FINED AFTER WORKER SEVERELY INJURED

The Hutterian Brethren Church of Belle Plaine Inc. has been fined a total of $16,900 in Provincial Court in Regina after being found guilty of violating The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 and regulations.

The charges, for contravening sections 17(1) and 465(2) of the regulations, followed an investigation into severe injuries, including the loss of a leg, suffered by 21-year-old Joel Tschetter, while operating a crop sprayer on June 22, 2005 that came in contact with an overhead power line.

Section 17(1) of the regulations deals with ensuring proper supervision of work.  The corporation was fined $8,000 for breaching 17(1) of the regulations and assessed a victim fine surcharge of $2,400.  Section 465(2) deals with ensuring no worker works or uses equipment too close to energized electrical conductors.  A fine of $5,000 and a victim fine surcharge of $1,500 was levied by the court for breach of section 465(2).

“Disregarding occupational health and safety legislation can have tragic consequences for workers and serious repercussions for employers,” Labour Minister David Forbes said.  “The department works to prevent workplace injuries and illness by making legal standards for healthy and safe work known, enforcing the law and, whenever possible, emphasizing an educational and supportive approach.”

The Occupational Health and Safety Division inspects approximately 4,500 workplaces annually and provides training to more than 4,000 employer and worker representatives each year on their safety rights and responsibilities.

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For more information, contact:

Nadine Sisk
Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4156
Email: nsisk@lab.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-1930