The 10 Biggest OHS Fines in Canada in 2021

When I first started covering OHS compliance more than 20 years ago, six-figure fines were relatively rare’occurring maybe 3 or 4 times per year. In 2021, there were no fewer than 28 OHS fines of at least $100,000 across Canada, including 3 fines of $500,000 or more.

Continuing recent patterns, Saskatchewan accounted for 4 of the 6 biggest OHS fines in Canada last year. Ontario handed out the most 6-figure fines with 9, followed closely by BC with 7. Safety training and machine and conveyor guarding were the most often cited violation with 5 apiece, with the latter producing 4 of the 6 highest fines of the year. Other common violations included powered mobile equipment, confined spaces and lockout.

Rank Fine Jurisdiction Defendant OHS Violation
1 $575 000 SK EVRAZ Inc. NA Machine Guarding
2 $500 000 SK Banff Constructors Ltd. Safety training;

Materials handling

2 $500 000 AB Millennium Cryogenic Technologies Confined spaces
4 $375 000 ON 2168587 Ontario Ltd., operating as Upper Crust Conveyor guarding
5 $360 000 SK EVRAZ Inc. NA Conveyor guarding
6 $399 444 BC 7-Eleven Canada, Inc., 7-Eleven Food Stores Workplace violence;

Working alone;

Safety training

7 $350 000 SK BLS Asphalt Inc. Machine guarding;

Safety training

8 $339 444 BC Lafarge Canada Inc Confined spaces
9 $325 000 ON 2168587 Ontario Ltd., operating as Upper Crust Column 5 Value 9
10 $254 697 BC Petronas Energy Canada Ltd. First aid;

Materials handling;

Traffic safety

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