Why employers should have ‘a robust internal investigation protected by privilege’ Across Canada, courts are sharpening their focus on workplace safety, ushering in a new era where criminal negligence charges increasingly follow workplace fatalities. Following the OHS Law Masterclass this week, one legal expert warns the implications for supervisors, managers, and directors are profound. Tony…
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N.B. Power is facing five charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act following the death of power-line technician Colin Hume, who fell during post-storm restoration work in Curryville, New Brunswick, two years ago. Hume, 47, was fatally injured when a power pole broke while he and another employee worked in a wooded area. The…
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Toronto plans to modify its heavy-duty vehicles with side guards to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety. These devices, mounted between truck axles, prevent people from being pulled under wheels during collisions. Mayor Olivia Chow, highlighted the life-saving potential, saying, “It means saving lives. It means less tragedy.” City staff estimate the guards could reduce cyclist…
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WorkSafeBC has accused EllisDon, the main contractor at Vancouver’s Oakridge construction site, of a “systemic failure to manage workplace health and safety,” according to court documents. An official document cited multiple safety violations, including inadequate control of worksite hazards and failure to manage exclusion zones effectively. The investigation follows a series of serious incidents, including…
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The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is battling for the end of mandatory sick notes for short-term illnesses in workplaces and schools. They claim that requiring notes for minor health issues places unnecessary pressure on Canada’s healthcare system, which is a problem due to not having enough family doctors. According to the CMA, removing the need…
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