Hydro One Networks Inc. and a supervisor have been fined a combined $262,000 following a workplace incident that left a worker critically injured in Wingham, Ont.
The worker suffered injuries on Sept. 25, 2022, when a copper wire they were holding contacted a live powerline during a construction project on Howick-Turnberry Road. Hydro One was fined $250,000, and the supervisor, Gregory Diebold, was fined $12,000 after pleading guilty in Goderich Provincial Offences Court.
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development investigation revealed that the incident occurred while two workers were installing copper leads on a 44-kilovolt powerline using an insulated boom truck. Although the powerline they were working on was de-energized, a live 4.8-kilovolt powerline below them had not been covered with protective barriers. The copper wire made contact with the energized line, critically injuring one of the workers.
Investigators identified several violations of the Electrical Utility Safety Rules (EUSR) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Hydro One failed to ensure compliance with section 132 of the EUSR, as required under Ontario Regulation 213/91. Supervisors also failed to account for hazard risks, including the height and placement of powerlines and the absence of protective barriers.
“The job planners did not complete a work plan identifying the hazards at this specific work location,” the Ministry said in a press release. “Additionally, the live rural line was not covered or controlled.”
Diebold, the designated observer for the project, believed a dedicated observer was unnecessary as the work was being conducted more than three feet away from the energized line. This oversight, according to the Ministry, failed to meet the reasonable precautions required by law.
The fines were issued by Justice of the Peace Kristine Diaz and Justice of the Peace Tara Oudekerk. A mandatory 25 per cent victim fine surcharge was also applied to assist victims of crime.
This case underscores the importance of rigorous adherence to safety protocols in high-risk industries to protect workers from preventable injuries.
