Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
An employee of Vinyl Window Designs Ltd., 550 Oakdale Road, North York, Ontario, was killed after entering a barrier enclosure to troubleshoot a machine that had not been properly locked out.
On July 18, 2017 the operator of a machine that performed welding, fabrication and corner cleaning found that there were problems with the operation of the machine at the transfer area where windows moved into the corner cleaner. Another worker was summoned to troubleshoot the situation.
The machine was surrounded by a fenced enclosure. The worker entered the enclosure through a gate. The line was not running in operation mode at the time.
The worker asked the operator to put the line into operation mode to run a window through the infeed.
While the worker was spraying oil on parts of the machine, the machine’s transfer arms cycled, crushing the worker against the frame of the machine. The worker died from the injury.
The barrier enclosure of the involved machine had gaps at the northeast and southeast ends of the machine which enabled a worker to access the operating area of the machine; these gaps were not the designated access points.
There were access gates to the area on the east and west sides of the enclosure. Each gate was equipped with an interlock device, designed to shut down the operational components of the machine upon the opening of the gate. However, the interlocks were disconnected from the machine.
The gate through which the deceased worker entered was always open, and at the time of the incident was tied back with plastic to keep it open.
Apart from the disabled interlock devices, the machine did not have its power source disengaged and locked out as required by regulation. There was a lockout procedure in place at the time of the incident.
The operator, a supervisor and the plant manager, who were at the opposite end of the machine near the operator’s station at the time of the incident, were aware of the open gate but had not received specific training on lockout procedures.
Vinyl Windows Designs Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing as an employer to ensure that the measures and procedures prescribed by section 24 of Regulation 851 were carried out in a workplace, contrary to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Following a guilty plea, on April 24, 2019, the company was fined $165,000 by Justice Katrina Mulligan in Toronto’s Old City Hall court; Crown Counsel Wes Wilson.
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:
Vinyl Window Designs Ltd. was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario ‘Industrial Establishments’ regulation 851/90, section 24 which states,
“Where a machine or prime mover or transmission equipment has an exposed moving part that may endanger the safety of any worker, the machine or prime mover or transmission equipment shall be equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to the moving part.”
This was in direction 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.”
I believe section 42, subsection (1) of 851/90 could also be used. It states,
“The power supply to electrical installations, equipment or conductors shall be disconnected, locked out of service and tagged before any work is done, and while it is being done, on or near live exposed parts of the installations, equipment or conductors.”
Either way, the employee was placed at terrible risk and this accident could easily been avoided if protocols and procedures were in placed and properly supervised.
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
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
Your article has taught me a lot.