A business and contractor in Watford have been fined $145,000 after pleading guilty in a fatal workplace incident just over two years ago.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development said an Ontario numbered company, operating as Agro Acres on Lasalle Line, and Nick De Jong, a contractor operating as De Jong Excavating, were convicted on April 29, 2026.
On May 9, 2024, a worker was involved in tasks related to demolition and construction around a barn at 8123 Churchill Line in Warwick.
"Several workers and multiple pieces of heavy equipment were operating in close proximity, with no clear separation between work activities," a court bulletin read. "The worker had been directed to pick up steel rebar near where the front-end loader was operating. The operator was reversing the loader at the same time the worker moved toward its path of travel. The operator, who was looking over their right shoulder, did not see the worker approaching from the left side. This resulted in a fatal injury."
Sarnia News Today reported at the time a 17-year-old from Watford was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation found the operator’s view was obstructed and no signaller was used. The loader also had a missing or misaligned mirror.
The ministry said Agro Acres failed, as an employer, to ensure measures and procedures under the Occupational Health and Safety Act were carried out and De Jong, as a worker, failed to work in compliance with the act and its regulations.
Following guilty pleas in Sarnia Provincial Offences Court, the company was fined $130,000 and De Jong was fined $15,000.
A 25 per cent victim fine surcharge was also imposed to assist victims of crime.
