News Releases

Media Bulletin - Manitoba

August 4, 2022

Province Advises Employer Prosecuted for Workplace Incident



Manitoba Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services is reminding employers to ensure workers are appropriately trained and supervised after an employer was prosecuted for violating the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

On July 16, 2018, a worker employed by Sandhill Construction was helping install rafters on a two-storey garage in the Rural Municipality of Alexander. The worker was working on the top platform of a moveable steel scaffold on the second floor when five of the rafters, not yet secured to the top girder, began to fall in a domino effect. One of the rafters struck the scaffold and caused the worker to fall approximately 10 feet to the plywood surface below, resulting in a spinal fracture.

Officials from Workplace Safety and Health conducted an investigation and laid charges under the act. On July 19, 2022, Dwight Reimer, sole proprietor of Sandhill Construction, pleaded guilty to failing to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the safety, health and welfare of a worker. A fine of $18,500 was imposed by the court.

More information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/compliance.html.

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