AC firm fined after worker’s fatal fall

CANADA: Design Air Ltd, an Ontario-based air conditioning contractor was fined CAD$70,000 (€48,000) after a worker fell from a roof and died.

The incident in April 2012, occurred as a supervisor employed by Design Air Ltd and an apprentice prepared to repair an HVAC unit at a residential home in Toronto. The HVAC unit was located on top of a flat roof at the rear of the residence. The apprentice was sent up to the roof to look at the equipment while the supervisor performed other tasks. A short time later, the apprentice was found lying on the ground at the rear of the residence. The apprentice suffered fatal injuries as the result of a fall.

A Ministry of Labour investigation determined that the apprentice had fallen about 9m and was not wearing any form of fall arrest equipment at the time of the fall.

Design Air Ltd., pleaded guilty to failing to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that a worker was protected by a fall arrest system as required by law.