Worker’s Fatal Fall Through Stairwell Opening Costs Company $15,000

A worker at a residential construction project fell through a stairwell opening on the second floor to the basement. He was killed instantly. The company owner had been on site before the incident and saw workers working at heights without fall protection but didn’t require them to wear it even though the equipment was available. The company pleaded guilty to failing to provide such supervision, training and instruction necessary to ensure an employee’s health and safety and was fined $15,000 [Lloyd Dutcher Developments Ltd., Govt. News Release, Dec. 20, 2013].