Costco Wholesale Corporation fined $75,000 for health and safety violation
MISSISSAUGA,
ON, March 3 /CNW/ - Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco), a membership
wholesale retail club located on Rodeo Drive in Mississauga, was fined
$75,000 on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 for a violation of the Occupational
Health and Safety Act that resulted in serious injuries to a worker.
On April 7, 2003, a forklift
service technician was performing work on a forklift owned by Costco in a
designated repair area in an alley behind the store on Rodeo Drive. The
technician was employed by J.H. Ryder Machinery Ltd.
Another
forklift, driven by a Costco employee, entered the repair area and struck
the technician, who was pinned between the two forklifts. The technician
suffered a broken pelvis, crushed left knee, cuts and bruises.
The Ministry of Labour
investigation determined that the defendant failed to provide a barrier,
warning signs or other safeguards for the protection of workers from
vehicular traffic. This was contrary to section 20 of Regulation 851, and
section 25(1)(A) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Costco pleaded
guilty to this charge.
The fine was imposed by Justice
of the Peace Joanne Opalinski of the Ontario Court of Justice in
Mississauga. In addition, a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge will be
added, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is
credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of
crime.
