Yellowknife, NT (October 16, 2017) – On October 11, 2017, Paul Curren appeared in the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories in Yellowknife to be sentenced for a conviction under the Northwest Territories’ Safety Act.
Mr. Curren had previously pleaded guilty to contravening Section 119(1)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations by failing to ensure that all workers on his worksite used a fall protection system while working at a height of 3 metres or more. He was convicted of this offence on October 11, 2017 and all other charges in the matter were withdrawn.
The charges stem from an incident on July 16, 2016, where Mr. Curren and two others were working on the roof of a home Mr. Curren was building for himself and his family. Although Mr. Curren had contracted a company to provide some construction services he was also performing some work himself with the assistance of his wife and a friend. Mr. Curren was acting as an employer as defined in the Safety Act and was required to comply with that Act and its regulations.
Mr. Curren was sentenced to a fine of $1,000.
It is important to note that a homeowner who has friends, family members, or others performing work in or on the home may be an employer under the Safety Act and is required to ensure safe work and compliance with the legislation. The best way to find out what your obligations are is to contact the WSCC.
The WSCC reminds all employers that the Safety Act and OHS Regulations are there to protect workers and to reduce the risks of injury associated with a variety of tasks.
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Jacqueline Mo
Acting Manager, Communications
T: (867) 920-3829
TF: (800) 661-0792 ext. 3829