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By Alice McFarlane

Alberta OHS levels fine on farm equipment dealer

Alberta ag company penalized for serious workplace injury

Sep 24, 2025 | 11:20 AM

An Alberta farm equipment dealership has been given a hefty fine after a serious workplace related injury.

George’s Farm Centre Ltd. has been ordered to pay $108,000, after pleading guilty on Sept. 19 in Red Deer Court.

Charges were laid according to the Occupational Health and Safety code when a worker was permitted to remain within range of a moving load or any part of powered mobile equipment that created a danger to the worker. The Crown withdrew six other counts.

The incident occurred on the side of a highway in Lacombe County on June 23, 2023. A worker unhitched an air seeder tank from a tractor. The tank rolled back and the worker was seriously injured while attempting to stop it.

Under a creative sentence, the dealership was ordered to pay the fine to the University of Calgary to develop hazard-recognition workplace simulation software. This training tool will be adaptable and customizable for multiple work sites.

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The OHS Act provides a creative sentence option in which funds that would otherwise be paid as fines are directed to an organization or project to improve or promote workplace health and safety.

The company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.

Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province and provide guidance for employers to help them ensure their workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible while providing rights and protections for workers.

Charges under OHS laws, charges may be laid when failing to follow the rules results in a fatality or serious injury.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com