2022 construction site injury leads to fine for Sudbury contractor

Consbec, a Sudbury drilling and blasting contractor, was fined $125,000 following a 2022 accident where a worker was critically injured in northwestern Ontario.

The accident occurred at a construction site on Highway 11/17 in Dorion Township outside Thunder Bay, April 29, 2022.

The conviction was Dec. 11.

According to a Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skill Development news release, the worker was operating a drill rig in a ditch, drilling a series of boreholes in preparation for rock blasting. The worker positioned the rig on uneven ground with the tracks slightly overhanging a small embankment. The worker stood between the rig and a rock shoulder.

When the worker extended the drill rig’s boom and set the rig’s mast upright, the machine tipped forward on the uneven ground striking and critically injuring the worker. 

The ministry and court determined Consbec failed to ensure the worker had been provided sufficient information, instruction and supervision on the safe operation of the drill rig.  

At the time of the incident, the worker’s supervisor had briefly left the scene to return equipment to a nearby storage unit.

Consbec pleaded guilty in Provincial Offences Court in Thunder Bay. 

In addition to the fine, the court also imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surface as required by the Provincial Offences Act.