Trench collapse that seriously injured worker leads to $100K fine

A courtroom is seen at the Edmonton Law Courts building in Edmonton on June 28, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

An Alberta excavation contractor has been fined $100,000 after a worker was injured in 2022.

On Nov. 20, HCL Site Services Ltd. pleaded guilty in a Sherwood Park court to one count of failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.

The Crown withdrew five other counts.

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The charges are related to an incident where a worker was seriously injured in a partial trench collapse at a sewer line restoration site in Viking, Alta. on Aug. 19, 2022.

Both the company and the Crown have 30 days to appeal the conviction and penalties.

Charges can be laid under the OHS Act when failing to follow rules leads to a fatality or serious injury.