Inland Machining Ltd. was charged as an employer with 33 counts under occupational health and safety (OHS) laws. On Oct. 26, 2023 in the Calgary Court of Justice, the company was convicted on 13 counts, eight of which were conditionally stayed. The court dismissed one count and the Crown withdrew 19 other counts.
The company appealed the conviction and sentence on Nov. 17, 2023 and the Court of King’s Bench dismissed the appeal on Nov. 13, 2024. The 30-day period to file further appeals has expired.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred at a Calgary machine shop on Aug. 16, 2019. A worker was fatally injured while operating a manual lathe and becoming entangled with a moving part.
Inland Machining Ltd. was fined $420,000 total, including the victim fine surcharge, for five counts under OHS laws. The counts relate to failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker, failing to follow the manufacturer specifications for equipment and failing to provide safeguards to protect against contact with moving parts of equipment or machinery.
Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province. They provide guidance for employers to help them ensure their workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible while providing rights and protections for workers. Charges under OHS laws may be laid when failing to follow the rules results in a workplace fatality or serious injury.
Quick facts
- Jobs, Economy and Trade does not provide sentence documents. These are available through the Calgary Court of Justice.