The City of Prince Albert has enhanced its safety protocols following an incident in July 2024 that resulted in a worker’s injury and a substantial fine. The city admitted to a health and safety violation and agreed to pay a fine of $92,857 along with a court surcharge of $37,142.
The violation originated from an incident where a worker was greasing the rear box of a dump truck. To carry out the task, the box needed to be elevated, causing two concrete blocks to slip into the tailgate, leading it to swing open. Subsequently, the blocks fell out of the truck, striking the worker. The extent of the worker’s injuries was not disclosed in the announcement.
Don Wood, the city’s health, safety, and environment coordinator, emphasized the importance of learning from the incident to avoid similar occurrences in the future. He highlighted the implementation of various enhancements to bolster safety practices, accountability measures, and oversight processes within the city.
The introduced measures encompass tailored job hazard assessments for work units, updated toolbox safety meeting forms, training on crafting safe operating procedures, and the establishment of new safety protocols. Additionally, the city is in the process of integrating advanced safety management software to enhance monitoring and auditing of compliance with safety standards.
Furthermore, audits have been conducted to verify adherence to the revised safety protocols, and an occupational health and safety committee has been established at the worksite to ensure ongoing safety compliance.
These initiatives signify the city’s unwavering dedication to fostering a safe working environment for all employees.