News release

Charges Laid in Workplace Fatality

Labour and Advanced Education (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

Occupational Health and Safety officers have charged a Halifax company in the workplace death of a 47-year-old man.

On May 9, 2013, Shaun McInnis was working on the roof of a four-storey complex when he fell from the edge. The Department of Labour and Advanced Education immediately stopped work at the site and launched an investigation.

Truss Worthy Framing and Renovations Ltd. has been charged under the Occupational Health and Safety Act with:

  • failure to ensure the health and safety of persons at or near a workplace
  • failure to provide and maintain equipment, machines, materials or things properly equipped with safety devices
  • failure to provide information, instruction, training, supervision and facilities as necessary to the health and safety of employees
  • failure to ensure proper roof brackets and planks are installed as work progresses on a roof
  • failure to ensure employees are wearing or using fall-protection equipment or devices
  • lack of a fall arrest system in place when working at a height above three metres
  • lack of a fall arrest system in place to adequately ensure and withstand maximum load
  • lack of an appropriate lifeline in place in a fall arrest system

The owner of the company, David Busk Sr., has also been charged with:

  • failure to provide health and safety of employees at a workplace
  • failure to ensure protective devices, equipment or clothing are used or worn

Hanias Properties has also been charged with one count under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failure to maintain owner's land or premises in a manner that ensures the health and safety of persons at or near a workplace.

"I can only imagine how difficult this has been for the McInnis family," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan. "I want to thank them for their patience and understanding while we took the time to investigate thoroughly and find out exactly what happened."

These charges will be prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service's special prosecution section. The arraignment is set for June 2.

Penalties for a workplace fatality include fines, and in some cases, jail time.