Department Fined $70,000 for Officer’s Fatal Fall Through Ice

A 57-year-old fish and wildlife enforcement officer was patrolling an area on a snowmobile when he fell through the ice and drowned. His employer was convicted of violating the OHS Act by failing to provide necessary information, instruction, training and supervision, and to ensure necessary protective clothing and devices were used. The court also found that the department failed to ensure written safe work procedures appropriate to the hazards and work activity were included in its safety program. The court fined it $70,000, and ordered it to conduct a safety audit and ice safety training for employees and to report on its progress implementing the measures [Justice and Public Safety Department, Govt. News Release, Dec. 30, 2015].