Stop Work Order Due to Inadequate Traffic Control Plan Was Appropriate

An inspector issued a stop work order for a construction project along a highway due to inadequate traffic control measures. The company appealed. The Labour Relations Board refused to interfere with the order. The inspector testified persuasively that the traffic control plan in place at the time endangered both workers and pedestrians. The Board ruled that a stop work order was appropriate in these circumstances because the implementation of a safe traffic control plan was necessary before work could safely be performed on site. And the fact the company made good faith efforts to implement a safe traffic control plan was irrelevant as to the issuance of such an order, which isn’t punitive [Golder Associates Ltd. v A Director under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, [2015] CanLII 20297 (ON LRB), April 15, 2015].