Government of Alberta | A building and interior materials supplier has been penalised $350,000 related to a workplace fatality.
LX Hausys Canada Inc., as an employer, pleaded guilty in the Calgary Court of Justice to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker. The Crown withdrew 14 other counts.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred at the company’s Calgary warehouse on 19 September 2023.
A worker was helping move marble slabs with a forklift when the slabs dislodged, struck the worker and caused fatal injuries.
Under a creative sentence, the court ordered the company to pay $350,000 to the Manufacturers’ Health and Safety Association to develop portable virtual reality forklift simulators to enhance operator training. The association will also partner with Alberta Workforce Essential Skills to develop and provide workplace safety training for English language learners.
The company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalty.
