January 9, 2024
Employer Prosecuted for Workplace Incident
Manitoba Labour and Immigration is reminding employers to confirm they have appropriate ventilation in place to ensure worker safety after an employer was prosecuted under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.
On June 23, 2020, a worker employed by Prairieview Custom Basements Inc. was working in an excavated area at a residential property, applying Rub-R-Wall foundation coating to a foundation that had been recently torch-treated to remove moisture. After spraying the coating for several minutes, the vapour ignited and caused an explosion, resulting in a worker sustaining significant injuries.
Workplace Safety and Health officials conducted a thorough investigation and laid charges under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. On Nov. 1, 2023, Prairieview Custom Basements Inc. pleaded guilty to section 4(1)(a) of the act for failing to ensure, so far as practicable, the safety, health and/or welfare of workers at work. Specifically, the employer had not ensured the work area had been adequately ventilated during the application of the Rub-R-Wall foundation coating so as to prevent fire or explosions. A fine and court cost fee of $7,070 was imposed upon Prairieview Custom Basements Inc. by the court.
More information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/compliance.html.
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