Report from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
A worker, employed by General Motors of Canada of St. Catharines, Ontario, an auto manufacturer, was injured when a CNC machine moved after the worker had entered to perform a maintenance task. The company failed, as an employer, to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker, contrary to section 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
On January 24, 2023, two workers were performing a maintenance task known as a “probing routine” inside a large computer numerical control (CNC) machine at the company’s St. Catharines facility. This is a type of automated manufacturing equipment that is controlled by pre-programmed software.
The workers used the company’s Controlled Access Procedure (CAP) to attempt to put the machine in safe mode but did not follow the part of the procedure that required an interlock door to be in the open position. As a result, the machine was not placed in safe mode.
Believing the machine was in safe mode, one of the workers entered the machine through a side panel. After completing the maintenance task, the worker pressed start on a handheld control terminal. This caused the machine to enter automatic mode, and the worker was injured when a part of the machine moved.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development investigation found that the CAP procedure did not specifically identify how a worker was to ensure the CNC machine was in safe mode.
The company has since revised its procedures to prohibit full-body entry into the CNC machine, and to require all probing to be performed from outside the machine.
Following a guilty plea in the Ontario Court of Justice in Welland, the company was fined $275,000 by Justice of the Peace Mark J. Curtis.
The court also 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.
My opinion
The law(s) in contravention:
GM of Canada was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA), section 25, subsection 2(h) which states,
“An employer shall,
(h) Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the worker.”
General Motors is a large enough company to know better when dealing with proper procedures for maintenance. Lockout and Tagout (LO/TO) is a common procedure so machinery does not activate until the machine is returned to regular operation. There has to be a lock applied, power, possibly dissipated, as part of the procedure.
I worked there many years ago, in Oshawa, and the term “Production over Safety” was commonly used. I was hoping that would have changed by now.
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Electrical Safety Awareness’ and ‘Lockout and Tagout’.
Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
Ensure your workplace is a safe place.
Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.