Brewers Retail Inc. Fined $175,000 After Worker Killed

February 15, 2013

Brampton, ON - Brewers Retail Inc., a Mississauga company that owns and operates beer stores in Ontario, was fined $175,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was killed.
On April 8, 2012, two workers were washing the exteriors of trucks and trailers at The Beer Store Distribution Centre located at 69 First Gulf Boulevard in Brampton. That afternoon, one of the workers found a liquor bottle filled with blue liquid. The bottle contained methanol windshield washer fluid used in the trucks, however it still had the liquor label on it. The two workers both drank from the bottle, and one took the bottle home and finished it. That worker later died from methanol poisoning.
Brewers Retail Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to acquaint a worker with a hazard in the handling, storage or use of a liquid chemical agent
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Lisa Ritchie. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Court Information at a Glance
Location:                    Ontario Court of Justice
                                    5 Ray Lawson Blvd
                                    Brampton, ON
Judge:                         Justice of the Peace Lisa Ritchie

Date of Sentencing: February 12, 2013
Defendant: Brewers Retail Inc.
Matter:                       Occupational Health and Safety
Conviction: Occupational Health and Safety Act, Section 25(2)(d)
Crown Counsel: Jennifer Malabar