Employer Fined $75,000 for Death of Worker Killed on First Day of the Job

A supervisor was showing a new worker who had started the job that same day how to safely use a handheld grinder to cut metal barrel that had previously contained hazardous materials. The first barrel cut was a success. But as the worker prepared to cut a second barrel, the supervisor had to step away. The worker decided to proceed with the operation while the supervisor was gone. Result: Sparks from the grinder ignited combustible gases in the barrel resulting in an explosion that cost the worker his life. The worker’s employer was fined $75,000 after pleading guilty to a series of OHS violations, including failing to perform a hazard assessment, decontaminate the barrel, provide the victim a safety orientation and ensure he was properly supervised [R. v Tower Arctic, 2020 NUCJ 39 (CanLII), December 14, 2020].