A supervisor at a Quebec automobile dealership has pleaded
guilty to a criminal charge arising out of a workplace accident at
which he was not present. He was not even aware of the
employees' hazardous practice that caused the accident.
Although the court granted him an absolute discharge, this case
should concern employers and supervisors.
Three employees transferred gasoline from a gas tank to a
container using "an old home-made method which was described
as a liquid pump connected to a car battery with clips". The
court stated that a safer method involved using specialized
equipment – a Gaz Guzler device – which the
supervisor knew had not been in working order for some time at the
garage. Because of problems transferring the gas, one employee
added compressed air into the gas tank. which caused splashes,
sparks and a fire. All three employees were injured; one received
severe second and third degree burns to 35% of his body.
