ST. CATHARINES, ONT. — Roofing contractor PEC Roof Maintenance of St. Catharines, Ont. has been fined $78,000 after a worker was injured in a fall in 2023.
According to an Ontario court bulletin, the incident occurred on Jan. 23, 2023, when a worker fell from a ladder during a roof repair project.
The province states a worker and supervisors were sent to a secondary school to inspect and repair a leak in its flat roof. They set up a 32-foot aluminum ladder to access a lower roof, then brought another ladder to access a higher roof.
The top of the ladder to access the lower roof was secured to a vice grip clamp on the roof flashing with a nylon rope, however the bottom of the ladder was not secured. The area was not treated with sand or similar material to ensure a firm footing despite the presence of snow and ice, the bulletin reads.
While the two were on the lower roof, the supervisor instructed the worker to go to a vehicle for a clamp and rope to secure the second ladder.
When the worker stepped onto the ladder it slipped out from beneath. The fall resulted in a critical injury.
As a result of an investigation it was found the company failed to comply with its duty under section  of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to ensure the measures and procedures prescribed by Regulation 213/91 (Construction Projects) were carried out. Section  of the regulation specifically requires a ladder to be secured at the top and bottom to prevent movement.
The company was also liable for the acts and neglects of its supervisor under section  of the Act.
Following a guilty plea on Feb. 13, 2025 in Provincial Offences Court in Welland, PEC Roof Maintenance was fined by Justice of the Peace Moira Moses.
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