$20,000 fine ordered in collapse of storage barn under construction

A Grimsby builder has been fined $20,000 in connection with the collapse of a construction project more than two years ago.

The Ministry of Labour says a storage barn was being built at 3357 Regional Road 12, in West Lincoln when it collapsed on Nov. 24, 2014, due to wind load and a lack of bracing and proper anchoring.

At the time of the collapse, the four walls and the roof of the 40- by 20-metre storage barn had been erected on top of the structure’s concrete foundation.

But none of the walls had been properly braced to prevent their movement or collapse, and the anchor bolts connecting the walls to the foundation had not been secured.

The person hired to do the job, Tom Ivezic, failed to meet requirements, such as filing a Notice of Project relating to the construction of the storage barn, the ministry says. As well, he failed to give notice in writing to a Ministry of Labour inspector within two days of the structural failure of the barn, as required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Following the barn’s collapse, Ivezic also failed to furnish necessary assistance to a Ministry of Labour inspector. The provincial inspector made numerous attempts to contact Ivezic, and left him multiple messages but received no response.

The court hearing by Justice of the Peace Dan La Caprara on Feb. 9 also imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Ivezic could not be reached for comment.