Blog Post #303 – Printing Company Fined $25,000 after Worker Injured

Excerpt from the Government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’

Brant Screen Craft Inc., a Brantford printing company, was fined $25,000 for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that caused a worker to be injured.

On April 14, 2009, at the company’s printing facility, a worker was adjusting parts of a running lamination machine. The worker’s hand got entangled in a pinch point between two rolls and was injured.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the worker was wearing a ring at the time of the incident.

Brant Screen Craft Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the worker was not wearing a ring near a source of entanglement.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Dan MacDonald. 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:

Brant Screen Craft Inc. was found guilty of a contravention of section 83(2) of the Ontario ‘Industrial’ regulation 851/90 which states,

“Jewelry or clothing that is loose or dangling or rings shall not be worn near any rotating shaft, spindle, gear, belt or other source of entanglement.”

This section of the ‘Industrial’ regulation should have been researched and incorporated into the company’s ‘Best Practice’ and ‘Safe Practice’ rules and regulations. The job itself should have included all approaches to worker safety including the exclusion of loose clothing rings and apparel.

Too bad there had to be an accident before anything was ever done. I wonder if they have a health and safety co-ordinator. My guess is, probably not.

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 ‘Machine Guarding’ and ‘Safe Operating Procedures’. 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.