BELLEVILLE, ONT. — Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has announced the conviction of roofer Steven Bell of Belleville, Ont. for health and safety violations.
A Dec. 6 release stated that on Sept. 5, 2020 Bell, the sole proprietor of a roofing company and a four-time Ontario Health and Safety Act (OHSA) offender, was observed by a ministry inspector working on a pitched roof in Trenton, Ont. without fall prevention gear, as required by law.
Following a guilty plea in the Ontario Court of Justice, Belleville, on Nov. 27, 2023 Bell was given a suspended sentence, subject to a probationary order, which strips him of the right to work or employ anyone in the construction industry.
On the day of the infraction, a ministry inspector arrived at a roofing project for a two-storey multi-unit residence in the City of Quinte West.
Bell was onsite, along with two workers.
The inspector noticed one of the workers was on the roof of the structure, over three metres from the ground below, without any fall protection.
Section 26.1(2) of  (Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇåion Projects) states a worker who is exposed to a fall of greater than three metres must use an approved method of fall protection.
Section 25(1)(c) of the act states an employer must ensure all the regulations are followed at the workplace.
By failing to ensure workers wore appropriate fall protection equipment, it was determined that Bell violated the act.
Bell had four previous convictions.
On March 11, 2013, a ministry inspector observed three roofers in Belleville, employed by Bell, working at a height of more than three metres without being protected by fall protection. There were no injuries. The $2,000 fine for that conviction has not been paid.
On Nov. 16, 2013, an inspector observed four roofers in Belleville, employed by Bell, working at a height of more than three metres again without fall protection. There were no injuries. A $4,500 fine was levied, of which $900 remains unpaid.
On Oct. 7, 2015, an inspector observed a roofer in the City of Quinte West, employed by Bell, working at a height of more than three metres without fall protection. There were no injuries. For that offence, Bell was sentenced to one day of imprisonment and fined $10,000, which has not been paid.
On July 22, 2017, a ministry inspector observed a roofer in Belleville, employed by Bell, working at a height of more than three metres without fall protection. There were no injuries. For that offence, Bell was sentenced to seven days of imprisonment.
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