Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
Resolute FP Canada, operator of a paper mill, has pleaded guilty and has been fined $55,000 after a worker suffered a hand injury.
In October of 2014 Resolute was operating a paper mill in the Town of Iroquois Falls.
On October 23 of that year, a worker at the mill was working on the winder of Paper Machine #8, waiting for a finished roll of paper to be ejected from the winder onto a transfer table. One of the worker’s hands was resting on top of a gate bracket, when the transfer table raised automatically. As a result, a finger that was placed between the locking pin bracket of the gate and the bracket of the transfer table was injured. The worker suffered fractures to the hand.
No guard was in place to prevent access to this pinch point.
A Ministry of Labour investigation determined that two other areas where there was access to a pinch point or moving parts around the winder were also unguarded.
The manufacturer-issued operator’s manual for the winder and a 2009 pre-start review assessment by an engineer had both cautioned that guarding around this machine by use of a perimeter fence was advisable.
The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the transfer table locking pin bracket of the winder was equipped and guarded by a guard or other device to prevent access to the pinch point, and was fined $55,000 by Justice of the Peace Sylvie-Emanuelle Borbonnais in Timmins court on May 26, 2016.
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.
This is the second conviction of the company in 2016 for a worker injury. The company was fined $150,000 by Justice of the Peace Ron Beck on January 29, 2016 after a worker was burned in 2014 in the company’s Fort Frances premises.
My opinion
The law(s) in contravention:
Resolute FP Canada was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario ‘Industrial’ regulation 851/90, section 25 which states,
“An in-running nip hazard or any part of a machine, device or thing that may endanger the safety of any worker shall be equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to the pinch point.”
Resolute FP Canada was also found guilty of a violation of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) section 25(1)(a) which states,
“An employer shall ensure that,
- the equipment, materials and protective devices as prescribed are provided.”
I remember the last time Resolute FP Canada was guilty of safety violations. Actually, please read previous blog posts #707, and #851. This is third time I have written reports dealing with safety issues; one is too many!
Obviously, this company does not have safety as the overriding priority. Too bad for their workers. The corporation needs to accept their responsibilities and deal with health and safety proactively, not reactively.
Ensure your workplace is a safe place.
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’, ‘Machine Guarding’ and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.