A construction company has been fined $110,000 after a worker was fatally injured during equipment repair work in 2023, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development announced Wednesday.
Frontline Cable and Gas Services Inc., an excavating contractor based in Brantford, pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton to failing to follow safety regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The conviction follows the death of a worker at a job site near Campkin Street and Mill Street South in Brampton.
On Feb. 10, 2023, five workers employed by Frontline Cable and Gas Services were preparing to install underground network cables using a Ditch Witch JT9 drilling machine. During setup, a hydraulic oil leak was discovered by a worker and a supervisor.
The supervisor began repairing the leak from the top of the machine, with assistance from the worker. According to the report, the worker offered to take over the repair, stating they had received training. The supervisor then left to check on other crews working on the project.
While working underneath the machine to address the leak, the equipment was not blocked, as required by safety protocols. The operator’s manual specifies that blocking must be used to prevent collapse or movement during repairs.
As the worker attempted to fix the issue, pressure was inadvertently released from the valve cylinder. This caused the drilling machine to suddenly lower, fatally injuring the worker beneath it.
Ontario Regulation 213/91, section 108, mandates that “blocking shall be installed to prevent the collapse or movement of part or all of a piece of equipment that is being dismantled, altered or repaired if its collapse or movement may endanger a worker.” The court determined that Frontline Cable and Gas Services failed to meet this requirement, constituting a violation of section 25(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
On Jan. 16, 2025, Justice Kathryn Hawke imposed a $110,000 fine following the company’s guilty plea. Crown counsel David McCaskill represented the prosecution.
In addition to the fine, the court applied a 25% victim fine surcharge, in accordance with the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge supports a provincial fund dedicated to assisting victims of crime.
