Case study: Examples that shows the importance of complying with Health & Safety Standards

A condominium manager is assigned to a 14 storey condominium corporation which has two levels of an underground garage. The condominium utilizes the services of a live-in superintendent who has been working at the building for two years. The manager has been on site for the past 12 months.

The condominium has always used the services of a licensed electrical contractor to perform required electrical services. The management company has policies and procedures that state that only licensed companies are to provide services to their clients.

On one occasion, a Friday before the long weekend, the superintendent reports to the manager that the light in the main vestibule entrance is not working. The superintendent usually changes the light bulbs at the building and reports that he has already tried replacing the bulbs and the lights still aren't working. It is mid-afternoon and the manager knows that the electrician won't be able to come to the building until Tuesday, unless they pay overtime rates. The manager is well liked by the board of directors as she is professional and cost conscious, some might even say frugal.

The superintendent says that he suspects it is the ballast, which is a very simple fix that he has done countless times before. He also says that there is a Home Depot literally two minutes away and he can have it fixed before the end of his shift. The manager hesitates and then agrees to allow the super to change the ballast.

The superintendent begins by shutting off the circuit breaker to ensure there is no live power feeding the fixture. He then begins disconnecting the wires to the ballast. Unbeknownst to the super, the label in the breaker panel, was mis-labelled. The superintendent comes in direct contact with the live circuit and receives a major shock. The superintendent falls 10' to the ground and is killed. Before the manager can even think about what has happened, the emergency services have started to arrive and the Ministry of Labour is also on their way to investigate.

Please identify the incorrect actions taken by both the superintendent and the manager. You will need to comment on the following categories:

- Policies and Procedures at either the condominium corporation or from the management services provider.

Please let me know regarding the following:

1. What action didn't the superintendent take, and that a licensed electrician is typically trained on, that may have prevented this tragedy?

2. What are some of the possible outcomes for the manager, the management services provider, the corporation and the superintendent's family?

3. Describe the role of the Ministry of Labour in relation to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Describe the possible actions that could be taken by the Ministry.

Thank you!!