The City of Prince Albert has enhanced its safety protocols following an incident in July 2024 that resulted in a worker sustaining injuries and a substantial fine. Accepting responsibility, the city admitted guilt to a health and safety breach and agreed to pay a fine of $92,857 along with a court surcharge of $37,142.
The violation was linked to an episode where a worker was lubricating the rear box of a dump truck. During the process, the box needed to be elevated, causing two concrete blocks to shift towards the tailgate, which unexpectedly opened, leading to the blocks falling out and striking the worker. The severity of the worker’s injuries was not disclosed in the announcement.
Emphasizing the importance of learning from such incidents, Don Wood, the city’s health, safety, and environment coordinator, stated that despite the inability to alter the past, valuable lessons have been derived from the event. The city has since implemented various enhancements to reinforce safety practices, including conducting job hazard assessments tailored to specific work units, updating toolbox safety meeting forms, providing training on crafting secure operating procedures, and introducing new safety protocols. Additionally, the city is transitioning to advanced safety management software to enhance monitoring and auditing of compliance with safety standards.
To ensure adherence to the improved safety measures, audits have been carried out, and an occupational health and safety committee has been established at the worksite. The city’s commitment to safety is underscored by ongoing efforts to enforce accountability and oversight processes among all employees.