Toronto-area firm fined $200,000 after worker killed by concrete panel on downtown construction site in 2017

TORONTO—J.N.D. Erectors Ltd. has been ordered to pay a $200,000 fine for a health and safety violation that resulted in the death of a worker on a Toronto construction site.

The fatal incident happened in March 2017 at a new development at 130 Queens Quay East on the city’s eastern waterfront.

According to the Ministry of Labour, a worker was helping a crane operator unload precast concrete panels from a flatbed March 27. The panels, which weighed about 6,000 pounds, had been chained in pairs for transport. The worker unhooked the first panel and the crane hoisted the concrete panel away. When preparing the second panel, however, it shifted, toppling onto the worker, who died of the injuries.

The province noted that a security camera captured the incident.

A report from a Ministry of Labour structural engineer later found the fatal incident would have been avoided had the panel remained secured at all times. Section 38 of Ontario Regulation 213/91 stipulates construction materials on job sites “shall be stored and moved in a manner that does not endanger a worker.”

J.N.D. Erectors was found guilty of violating the province’s health and safety rules in Toronto courtroom June 26.