On April 22 in the Calgary Court of Justice, Westpower Equipment Ltd. pleaded guilty to one charge under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker. The Crown withdrew 22 other charges under OHS legislation.
The charges stem from an incident on a Calgary work site on March 3, 2022. A worker was operating an overhead crane to install a pump cover when the cover released from the rigging. The cover struck the worker, causing fatal injuries.
The company was fined $330,000 including the 20 per cent victim fine surcharge.
Both the company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalty.
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
- Westpower Equipment Ltd. was fined $275,000 plus a $55,000 victim fine surcharge, for a total penalty of $330,000.
- Jobs, Economy and Trade does not provide sentence documents. These are available through the Calgary Court of Justice.
- Fatality investigation summaries are posted to alberta.ca/fatality-investigation-reports 60 to 90 days after court proceedings conclude.