Supervisor convicted of safety violation in Budds renovation

KITCHENER — One person has been convicted of violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act during renovations to the former Budds store in downtown Kitchener.

The provincial Ministry of Labour said that an unnamed individual was convicted this week of “failing, as a supervisor, to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.”

The charge was one of 36 asbestos-related charges laid a year ago in connection with the project at 165 King St. W.; all but the one leading to the conviction were withdrawn. The offence occurred in the fall of 2016.

The conviction carries a fine of $6,000 plus a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge.

Charges had initially been laid against the building owner (identified as a numbered company), a company identified as an employer and constructor, and an individual serving as “constructor, employer and supervisor.”

Once a common component in building materials, asbestos fibres can pose serious health risks if inhaled. Materials containing asbestos are not considered a significant risk if they are sealed off or removed with appropriate precautions.

The building is being repurposed to contain ground-floor retail and offices above, where an original third storey, lost to fire years ago, is being rebuilt.