A Calgary machining company’s $420,000 fine and conviction on multiple workplace safety violations following a 2019 fatality has been upheld in court.
Inland Machining Ltd. was convicted of 13 charges under Alberta’s occupational health and safety (OHS) laws on Oct. 26, 2023, with eight of the counts conditionally stayed. The company was fined for failing to ensure worker safety, neglecting to follow equipment manufacturer specifications, and failing to provide safeguards against moving machinery parts. The charges stemmed from the death of a worker who was fatally injured on Aug. 16, 2019, after becoming entangled with a manual lathe.
The company appealed the conviction and sentence on Nov. 17, 2023. However, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench dismissed the appeal on Nov. 13, 2024. Inland Machining Ltd. did not file further appeals within the required 30-day period, finalizing the court’s decision.
Alberta OHS legislation sets workplace safety standards for employers and outlines rights and protections for workers. Charges under these laws can result when violations lead to serious injury or death. In this case, the company’s breaches of safety protocols were found to have directly contributed to the fatal incident.
The $420,000 penalty includes a victim fine surcharge and represents the consequences of five specific OHS infractions. These include failing to ensure the health and safety of workers, not adhering to equipment specifications, and neglecting to provide safeguards to prevent worker contact with moving machinery.
