Untrained Crane Operator Drops a Concrete Post — Sega Group Fined $50,000 in Ottawa

Five concrete streetlight posts. The job required removing the old ones and replacing them. The first post was heavy — a poured concrete base added significant mass. The crane truck operator hoisted it during removal to prevent it from falling. So far, appropriate.

Then, while lowering the post, the operator pressed the button that released the clamp holding the top of the post. The post toppled. A nearby worker was struck and injured.

A Ministry investigation found that the operator had no crane training certificate and lacked the experience and knowledge to safely manage this type of lift.

What Happened

On July 12, 2023, Sega Group Inc. was working at the intersection of Century Road and Manotick Main Street in Ottawa, replacing concrete streetlight posts for the City. A crane truck was being used to hoist and lower the heavy posts during removal.

While lowering the first post, the operator accidentally released the clamp at the top of the post during the lowering sequence. The post became unsecured, toppled, and struck a worker nearby.

The Ministry found that the operator did not hold a crane training certificate. They also lacked sufficient experience and knowledge to operate the crane safely for this task — specifically, they did not understand the correct sequence and control functions during a post-lowering operation involving dual-point support.

Sega Group pleaded guilty in Ottawa Provincial Offences Court and was fined $50,000 plus a 25% victim fine surcharge under Section 25(1)(c) of the OHSA and Section 150(2)(a) of Ontario Regulation 213/91.

What the Law Says

Section 150(2)(a) of Ontario Regulation 213/91: "No worker shall operate a crane or similar hoisting device unless the worker is (a) competent to do so."

Basically, what this means is simple: you cannot put a worker on a crane because they're available. Crane operation requires verified training, a valid certificate, and demonstrated competency for the specific type of lift being performed.

Three Things This Case Teaches Ontario Construction Employers

• Section 150(2)(a), O. Reg. 213/91 requires competency, not just proximity to a crane. A training certificate is the floor, not the ceiling. For non-standard or complex lifts, additional task-specific experience must be verified before assigning the operator.
• Exclusion zones during all crane lifts are non-negotiable. No worker should be within the topple or fall radius of a load during any lift. Exclusion zones must be established and enforced before the first hoist.
• Crane operator training records must be on site and verified before the assignment. Not confirmed after the fact. Before the work begins, the supervisor must have seen the certificate.

For Ontario contractors who use crane trucks on streetscape, utility, or infrastructure projects, this case is worth reviewing in your pre-job planning process. The full analysis is in the WorkSafe Sounds article linked above.