Blog Post #520 – ECA Canada Company Fined $110,000 after Worker Killed by Cylindrical Casings

Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’

ECA Canada Company, a Nova Scotia company that sells and services construction drills, was fined $110,000 for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was killed.

On August 29, 2011, at the company’s workplace in Toronto, a worker was acting as signaler for a crane unloading drill casings from a truck. Three large, cylindrical casings were stacked on the ground in pyramid formation. The bottom two casings were not chocked or wedged to prevent movement. While a fourth casing was being unloaded from the truck, the top casing in the pyramid fell between the two casings holding it up, pushing the bottom casings outward. One of cylindrical casings rolled and made contact with the fourth casing that was still suspended by the crane. The suspended casing swayed and struck the signaler, pinning the worker against the back of the truck. The worker was killed.

ECA Canada Company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the bottom row of the pyramid of cylindrical casings was chocked or wedged to prevent motion.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace K. Dresher. 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:

ECA Canada Company was found guilty of violating section 47 of the Ontario ‘Industrial’ regulation 851/90 which states,

“Cylindrical objects stored on their side shall be piled symmetrically with each unit in the bottom row chocked or wedged to prevent motion.”

ECA Canada Company was also found guilty of violating section 25, subsection 1(c) of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) which states,

“An employer shall ensure that,

(c) The measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace.”

Does one think that round objects do not roll, especially when they are stacked on top of each other? Even a 3 year old would not stack round pins in this fashion because of the eventual collapse of the pyramid.

One just cannot fix stupid! Too bad it cost the life of one of their workers. Will it happen again? Well, you know it, just, I hope, not at this employer. I believe they must have a permanent corrective action plan in place before beginning work once again!

Please ensure that your workplace is a safe place to work!

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 ‘Due Diligence’, ‘Material Handling’ and ‘Standard 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 – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.