Scaffolding company ordered to pay $350K over fatal workplace fall

A scaffolding company has been ordered to pay $350,000 over a fatal workplace fall in northwestern Alberta.

The Alberta government says a worker was dismantling scaffolding at a pulp mill near Peace River in June 2022 before the death.

West Coast Scaffolding Inc. pleaded guilty earlier this week to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in the St. Albert Court of Justice.

<who> Photo credit: 123RF

The Crown withdrew eight other charges.

The company was handed a "creative sentence" meant to direct funds that would otherwise be paid as fines to non-profits or workplace health and safety initiatives.

West Coast is to pay the entire amount to Athabasca County for the Caslan Volunteer Fire Department to spend on training and new rescue equipment.

Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].