Ottawa construction firm fined after backhoe hits and injures worker
By On-Site Staff
Health & SafetyOTTAWA—A job site injury involving a backhoe on the Carleton University campus two years ago has resulted in a $70,000 fine for McDonald Brothers Construction Inc.
The Ottawa-based company was in charge of a renovation project at 1125 Colonel By Drive in May 2017 when a backhoe struck a working existing a portable toilet. According to the Ministry of Labour, the toilet had been placed next to a road used by vehicles and at an angle that prevented the backhoe operator and worker from seeing each other. The worker sustained multiple injuries.
In an Ottawa courtroom July 25, McDonald Brothers pleaded guilty to failing to ensure worker health and safety was protected.
Along with the $70,000 fine, the court imposed a 25 per cent victim surcharge, standard for job site injuries.
