By Erika Chorostil

OH&S Ruling

Drayton Valley fined in fatal OH&S incident

Dec 20, 2019 | 3:05 PM

The Town of Drayton Valley has been ordered to pay a fine relating to an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) incident that resulted in a fatality on August 3, 2017.

Representatives from the Town attended the Edmonton Courthouse on December 19 to provide an answer to the Summons resolution in the case.

The case had previously been moved to Edmonton from Drayton Valley in consultation with the Crown and the Titanich family, in an effort to bring the case to an end and provide closure to the family in a timely manner.

There were a total of 12 charges being brought against the Town. The Crown dismissed 11 of them, with the Town pleading guilty to one charge of “failed to ensure that equipment, a John Deere riding lawnmower, was operated in accordance with the specifications of a professional engineer or with the manufacturer’s specifications which state ‘do not mow near drop-off’s, ditches, embankments, or bodies of water,’ contrary to Section 12 (D) of the Occupational Health and Safety Code 2009.”

The Town was ordered to pay $300,000 plus a victim surcharge of $25,000. The Crown agreed to an alternative sentencing agreement with the fine value going to the Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association for the development and implementation of a Lawnmower program. The program will focus on the training of summer staff as well as a Supervisor of summer staff component.

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In a statement, the Town of Drayton Valley said they have worked to comply with, and implement, the requirements and recommendations outlined in the investigation report to improve worker safety.

The Town also said it “recognizes and acknowledges the poor safety performances of the past and has worked diligently to create a compliant health and safety culture that enhances worker safety.”