OTIS Canada Inc. has been fined $300,000 by the Ontario Court of Justice for a safety violation that resulted in injuries to two apprentice elevator mechanics.
The violation was in contravention of Ontario Regulation 209/01 under the Technical Standards and Safety Act.
The incident occurred in April 2023 at a nine-storey condominium construction site in Toronto. The two apprentice mechanics, working for OTIS Canada Inc., were performing tasks on a nearly completed elevator. They failed to properly counterbalance the elevator with the necessary weights, leading to the elevator plunging from the second floor to an underground parking level. One apprentice sustained bruises, while the other suffered fractures to both feet. The elevator was also heavily damaged.
“This is one of the largest fines imposed on an elevator company in recent years, reflecting the seriousness of the contractor’s violation which caused significant harm,” said AJ Kadirgamar, Director of Elevating and Amusement Devices at the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). “Ensuring the safety of elevator workers is as critical as ensuring the safety of all riders. The elevator industry must prioritize maintaining a safe working environment for their employees and contractors.”
In addition to the fine, OTIS Canada Inc. was ordered to pay a 25 per cent victim surcharge.
The TSSA, one of Ontario’s public safety regulators, is mandated by the provincial government to enforce safety regulations across various sectors, including elevating devices, amusement devices, and fuels. The organization’s responsibilities encompass public education, certification, licensing, inspections, and compliance enforcement.