Blog Post #272 – Vehicle Part Manufacturer Fined $50,000 after Worker Injured

Excerpt from the Government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’

KSR International Co., carrying on business as Dresden Industrial-Ridgetown, a maker of vehicle parts, was fined $50,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On May 20, 2010, at the company’s facility in Ridgetown, a worker was trying to fix a press that was not working. The worker entered the press to determine the problem and correct it. When the press started working again, it closed on part of the worker’s hand, injuring the worker.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the worker had not used a block to stop the press from moving.

KSR International Co., carrying on business as Dresden Industrial-Ridgetown, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the press had maintenance work performed on it only after it had been blocked to prevent its movement.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Michael Hurst. 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.

My opinion

The law (s) in contravention:

KSR International Company was found guilty of violating section 75(b) of the Ontario ‘Industrial’ regulation 851/90 which states,

“A part of a machine shall be cleaned, oiled, adjusted, repaired or have maintenance work performed on it only when,

b) Any part that has been stopped and that may subsequently move and endanger a worker has been blocked to prevent its movement.”

It is always the same when I read items like the one listed above. There are so many concerns a company has to become familiar with and ‘lockout & tagout’ is just one of them.
Lockout & tagout is a procedure to safely de-energize all equipment prior to any maintenance being performed. The ‘blocking’ of the equipment can be an important part of any lockout & tagout procedure if needed.

A company must have such a program in place, one that identifies the hazards associated with the shutdown procedure and all the steps needed by the worker to safely lockout prior to repair or any other work being done.

Please encourage your company to develop and maintain a proper lockout & tagout plan. The company must also review said policy at least once a year especially if employee turnover or the presence of new equipment becomes available.

Remember — In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Lockout and Tagout’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at 

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.