Report from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
A worker, employed by Orbit Garant Drilling Services Inc. of Val-d’Or, Quebec, a company providing drilling services to the mining sector, was injured while trying to free a water hose that was caught on a drill rod. The company failed, as an employer, to ensure that the measures and procedures prescribed by section 185(2) of Ontario Regulation 854/90 – ‘Mines and Mining Plants’ were carried out, contrary to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Orbit Garant Drilling Services Inc. was contracted to provide diamond drilling services at the Bell Creek Underground Mine.
On the day of the incident, September 30, 2023, an assistant driller noticed that a water hose had gotten caught on the drill rod and tried to free it. At the same time, a driller, working outside a protective fence, rotated the drill, which injured the assistant driller.
A Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development investigation determined that the drill rig had an exposed moving part that was not adequately guarded. The guard had been ordered by the employer but was not yet installed.
Following a guilty plea in the Ontario Provincial Offences Court in Timmins, the company was fined $100,000 by His Worship Leonard Ellery; Crown Counsel was Dan Phelan.
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:
Orbit Garant Drilling Services inc., was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario ‘Mining and Mining Plants’ sector regulation 854/90, section 185, subsection 2 which states,
“A machine that has an exposed moving part that may endanger the safety of any person shall be fenced or guarded unless its position, construction or attachment provides equivalent protection.”
This is direct contravention of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), section 25, subsection 1(c) which states,
“An employer shall ensure that,
(c) the measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace.”
Here I find another Machine Guarding incident, but this time, the accident involves the Mining sector.
My memory may not be perfect BUT I do not recall a “Machine Guarding” accident in any sector but ‘Industrial’.
Just goes to show that it can happen anywhere.
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Due Diligence’ and ‘Machine Guarding’.
Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
We can also be reached at
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.