Blog Post #1443 – Workplace Injury Results in $110,000 Fine for Concord Employer

Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’

A worker was attempting to do a quality check on a vertical wire drawing machine. The machine was located on an elevated platform accessible by a stairway with six steps. While climbing the stairs to perform the task, the worker lost their footing. When instinctively extending their arms to brace their fall, the worker’s gloved hand came in contact with the moving wire, injuring the worker. Indwisco Limited failed to ensure the machine had a guard or other device to prevent access to the pinch points as prescribed.

On June 24, 2020, a worker was attempting to do a quality check on a vertical wire drawing machine, located on an elevated platform at the top of a stairway.

As the worker was climbing the stairs, they lost their footing, falling on the exposed steel wire while it was moving through the machine, injuring themselves.

Following a guilty plea in the Ontario Court of Justice, Newmarket Court, Indwisco Limited was fined $110,000 by Justice of the Peace Rhonda Shausterman; Crown Counsel, Line Forestier.

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:

Indwisco Ltd., was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario ‘Industrial Establishments’ sector 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.

For those readers who have been keeping up, would know that ‘Machine Guarding’ is the number one hazard listed on the MOL website in the ‘Industrial’ sector.

Number one!

I do wish this company, and every company, would take the time and read my blog so they would be better prepared for issues like these. Maybe we can save a worker from serious and possibly fatal accidents.

Ask your company to start reading the material on the blog. Actually, plug in ‘Machine Guarding’ and you find almost every accident listed by the MOL over the past 16 years.

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

We can also be reached at 

Ensure your workplace is a safe place.

Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal

CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.