The City of Prince Albert has taken steps to enhance safety protocols following an incident in July 2024 that resulted in a worker being injured and a substantial fine imposed. In an official statement, the city disclosed that it had admitted to a breach of health and safety regulations, agreeing to pay a fine of $92,857 along with a court surcharge of $37,142.
The violation arose from an occurrence where a worker was lubricating the rear box of a dump truck. During the task, the box was lifted, causing two concrete blocks to shift, leading to the opening of the tailgate and the subsequent fall of the blocks onto the worker. The extent of the worker’s injuries was not detailed in the release.
Reflecting on the incident, Don Wood, the city’s health, safety, and environment coordinator, emphasized the importance of learning from such events to prevent their recurrence. He highlighted the implementation of new safety measures aimed at bolstering practices, enhancing accountability, and refining oversight processes within the organization. Wood underscored the collective responsibility of all staff members in upholding safety standards.
The initiatives introduced include customized job hazard assessments for specific work units, updated toolbox safety meeting documentation, training on crafting safe operating procedures, and the formulation of fresh safety protocols. Additionally, the city is in the process of rolling out advanced safety management software to facilitate improved monitoring and auditing of safety compliance as per regulations. The release also mentioned the completion of audits to verify adherence to the enhanced safety protocols and the establishment of an occupational health and safety committee at the worksite.