A Calgary construction supervisor has been fined $30,000 for his role in a workplace incident that left a worker seriously injured. Jeffrey Gross pleaded guilty to one charge under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to take necessary precautions to protect a worker’s safety.
The sentence was handed down on Sept. 24 in the Calgary Court of Justice. The charge stems from a December 2021 incident at a construction site where a worker fell 4.5 metres through an opening in a roof after removing plywood covering the gap. The worker suffered serious injuries as a result of the fall.
Four additional charges against Gross were withdrawn by the Crown as part of the plea agreement. In addition to the fine, which includes a 20 per cent victim fine surcharge, Gross and the Crown have 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.
The incident also led to charges against Graham Construction and Engineering Inc. and Graham Construction and Engineering LP, who were charged with seven counts under OHS laws as the employer and prime contractor. Their trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 21 in the Calgary Court of Justice.
