the MNR
The Ministry of Natural Resources was fined $300,000 last week for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was killed.
On May 9, 2008, firefighters employed seasonally by the MNR went to Killarney Provincial Park to burn a “slash pile” consisting of fine brush material and other debris.
Workers mixed some fuels and ignited the pile. A crew leader then conducted a training exercise involving a “drip torch” used in fire suppression.
When the fire started to die down, another crew leader began pouring more fuel on the pile.
The fuel flared and engulfed the crew leader in flames. The person suffered severe burns and died.
Two workers who tried to put out the flames suffered minor burns.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that personal protective equipment (PPE) had been issued to all the workers, but none of them were wearing full PPE at the time of the incident.
The MNR pleaded guilty to failing, as an employer, to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring the use of personal protective equipment as appropriate to the task for mixing fuels, using a drip torch, and burning a slash pile.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Kathleen Bryant.
In addition, the court imposed a 25 percent 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.
