Ontario Construction Worker Fined $1,500 for Not Using Fall Protection

An Ontario court has issued a $1,500 fine to a Toronto worker for his failure to use fall protection.

While visiting a construction site in 2011, an Ontario Ministry of Labor inspector saw Christopher Schwaemmie jump from a tower hoist – which was about 50 feet above the ground – to a nearby roof. The inspector noticed that Schwaemmie was wearing a harness and lanyard, but the lanyard was not tied off to anything.

Schwaemmie pleaded guilty to failing to be adequately protected by a method of fall protection while exposed to a fall of more than three meters (9.8 feet).

Justice of the Peace Mary Ross Hendriks fined Schwaemmie $1,500 for a violation of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.