A July 2014 incident in Lacombe, Alberta, in which a 14-year-old boy fell nearly four metres from the roof of a residence, has the owners of an Airdrie business facing a number of charges.
The teenager was hospitalized following the fall.
An investigation into the incident determined Vital Contracting Ltd., and the operators of the business, were in violation of Employment Standards and Occupation Health and Safety rules. Vital Contracting Ltd. faces the following charges:
- Employing a person under the age of 15 years
- Failure to keep employment records
- Failing to ensure the health and safety of the worker
- Failing to train the worker in fall protection
- Failing to develop a fall protection plan
- Failing to provide the worker with competent, direct supervision
Vital Contracting Ltd. can be fined up to $100,000 and the operators of the business may face fines of up to $50,000 for contravening Alberta Employment Standards.
Violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act may carry a $500,000 fine and imprisonment for up to six months.
The operators of Vital Contracting Ltd. are scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on December 19.
