I recently wrote about the cost of failing to report accidents or occupational disease claims to the Ministry of Labour. The cost of failing to comply with an inspector’s orders can be even higher.
Harbour Sports Grille in Toronto received a number of orders from a Ministry of Labour inspector over a period of 6 months. The company failed to comply with 13 of those orders. The orders dealt with a number of issues including failing to set up a joint health and safety committee and failing to have required policies and programs (such as harassment and workplace violence) in place. The Ministry of Labour charged the company under the Occupational Health and Safety Act with failing to comply with those 13 orders.
The company fought the charges and lost. The presiding justice of the peace imposed a fine of $110,000.00. One suspects that it would have been cheaper to comply with the orders.
The Ministry of Labour’s press release can be read here.
