BFI Canada Inc. Fined $150,000 After Worker Injured
Ottawa, ON – BFI Canada Inc., a waste management company operating in Canada and the United States, was fined $150,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.
On May 28, 2009, a worker from a temporary help agency was assigned to a waste collection route for BFI Canada Inc. in Ottawa. The worker’s job was to take recyclable material from the curb and put it into a waste collection truck. While performing these duties, the worker got out of the truck while it was still moving and the truck ran over the worker’s foot.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the company had safety procedures that prohibited workers from exiting a moving vehicle. However, the temporary worker was not properly trained in these procedures.
BFI Canada Inc. was found guilty of failing to provide information, instruction and supervision to the worker with respect to safe operating procedures for mobile waste collection.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Beverly Souliere. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.