Windsor

Death of worker results in $100,000 fine for Windsor roofing company

A Windsor roofing company has been fined $100,000 in connection to the death of a worker who fell through the roof of a GoodLife Fitness gym.

The worker was hospitalized for two weeks before succumbing to his injuries

A worker was sent to hospital after a roof accident at GoodLife Fitness on Dougall Avenue on Friday. (Dale Molnar/CBC)

A Windsor roofing company has been fined $100,000 in connection to the death of a worker who fell through the roof of a GoodLife Fitness gym.

Rauth Roofing Limited pleaded guilty to failing to ensure workplace safety standards were met, as outlined in the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. Companies are required to protect their workers with a guardrail system or another fall prevention method. 

The 53-year-old worker accidentally stepped on a metal sheet which was meant to level the underside of the roof during a construction job on July 15, 2016. The sheet gave way and the worker fell to the second floor of the property, sustaining critical injuries in the process.

First responders arrived on scene and the worker was rushed to hospital. The man succumbed to his injuries and passed away less than two weeks later.

The court has imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge goes to a provincial fund to assist victims of crime.