Fleet Brake Parts & Services Ltd. ordered to pay $138,000 after worker fell into open drop pit
Alberta OHS fined Fleet Brake Parts & Services Ltd. $138,000 after a worker fell into an open drop pit at an Edmonton service centre in January 2024.
An Edmonton heavy‑duty parts company, Fleet Brake Parts & Services Ltd., has been ordered to pay $138,000 after a worker was seriously injured when he fell into an uncovered drop pit in January 2024.
The province’s occupational health and safety authority said the injury occurred after the worker was struck by the hood of a vehicle and fell into the open pit at a service centre.
Fleet Brake Parts & Services pleaded guilty on June 24 to failing to ensure a worker was protected from falling under the OHS code, and was sentenced to a financial penalty that includes the victim fine surcharge.
Incident at Edmonton service centre
The injury unfolded in January 2024 at a heavy‑duty truck parts service centre in Edmonton, where maintenance or inspection work was under way.
Provincial officials reported the worker was struck by the hood of a vehicle and fell into an open drop pit used for access under vehicles, sustaining injuries that prompted an OHS investigation.
Drop pits are common in heavy‑vehicle service bays but require safeguards such as covers, rails or supervised procedures to prevent falls and impacts during vehicle movement.
Court plea and penalty
Fleet Brake Parts & Services Ltd. admitted guilt on June 24 to one count alleging a failure to protect a worker from falling, the province said in a news release.
A court imposed fines totalling $138,000, a figure that incorporates the statutory victim fine surcharge designed to support victims of crime and related injury.
The company and Crown counsel each have up to 30 days to lodge an appeal of the conviction or penalty under the applicable provincial rules.
Other charges withdrawn
Prosecutors withdrew 13 additional counts that had been filed in relation to the same incident, the provincial announcement said.
Separately, 14 counts that had been laid against Parts for Trucks, Inc., a related party tied to the incident, were also withdrawn as part of the court proceedings.
The withdrawal of counts does not change the judge’s finding on the single pleaded charge that led to the $138,000 penalty.
Safety gaps identified in investigation
Investigators determined the workplace controls in place at the time did not adequately prevent a worker from falling into the pit if struck by moving vehicle parts.
Common industry safeguards include pit covers, secure vehicle immobilization, staff training on vehicle movement, and clear exclusion zones to keep workers out of hazard areas during hood operations.
OHS authorities typically assess whether employers followed written procedures, maintained equipment, and enforced traffic and work‑zone controls prior to charging under the code.
Alberta enforcement trend
The fine against Fleet Brake Parts & Services follows a series of recent provincial enforcement actions targeting workplace‑safety lapses in heavy industry and construction.
In past months, other firms have faced significant penalties after worker injuries at Alberta worksites, reflecting increased regulatory scrutiny and a focus on preventing avoidable harm.
Regulators say consistent enforcement is intended to push employers to adopt stronger safety systems and reduce the frequency of serious workplace incidents.
Implications for heavy‑vehicle service operators
For operators of service centres and heavy‑vehicle shops, the case underscores the need for rigorous controls around vehicle movement and pit management.
Employers should review hazard assessments, update written procedures, ensure physical guards are in place, and train staff on safe work near pits and under‑vehicle operations.
Regular audits, clear signage and effective supervision can reduce the chance of incidents that lead to injury, enforcement action, and costly penalties.
The provincial news release on the conviction emphasized worker protection as a core obligation under the occupational health and safety code and encouraged employers to take proactive steps to address fall and vehicle‑movement hazards.
