A Calgary machining company’s conviction and $420,000 fine in connection to a workplace fatality has been upheld by the courts.
Inland Machining Ltd. was charged with 33 counts under Alberta’s occupational health and safety (OHS) laws following an incident on August 16, 2019, in which a worker was fatally injured while operating a manual lathe and became entangled with a moving part.
On October 26, 2023, the Calgary Court of Justice convicted the company on 13 counts, with eight conditionally stayed. One count was dismissed, and the Crown withdrew 19 others.
The company appealed the conviction and sentence on November 17, 2023, but the Court of King’s Bench dismissed the appeal on November 13, 2024. The 30-day period to file further appeals has now expired.
Inland Machining Ltd. was fined $420,000, including the victim fine surcharge, for five counts under OHS laws. The charges include failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker, failing to follow manufacturer specifications for equipment, and failing to provide safeguards to protect against contact with moving parts of machinery.
Alberta’s OHS laws outline health and safety standards for workplaces across the province, offering guidance for employers and protections for workers. Charges under these laws can be laid when violations result in serious injury or fatalities.
