A steel construction and fabrication company has been penalized $90,000 following a serious workplace injury incident that occurred near Barrhead.
On March 17, 2022, workers were reportedly moving a steel I-beam out of a shop with a forklift. The beam fell off the forks and struck a worker, who was walking alongside the beam to guide it, and the worker sustained serious injuries.
As an employer, Steele Tech Fabrication Inc. pleaded guilty on Aug. 26, 2025, in the Barrhead Court of Justice to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker. Four other counts were withdrawn, according to a media release from the Government of Alberta.
The company was ordered to pay $90,000 to Barrhead Composite High School to purchase equipment for the school’s shop, and welding and fabrication labs to increase student and teacher safety by providing them with high quality, modern training.
Creative sentencing options such as this are permitted under the OHS Act, and allow funds that would otherwise be paid as fines to be directed to an organization or project to improve or promote workplace health and safety. The company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.
