Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
Stackpole International Powder Metal, Ltd. (the Company) failed to ensure that machinery being operated was equipped with a guard or other device to prevent access to moving parts, as prescribed by section 24 of Ontario Reg. 851, Industrial Establishments. This is contrary to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Stackpole International Powder Metal, Ltd is a company that designs and manufactures fluid power systems and powder metal technologies.
On the date of the incident, a worker was asked to perform a tool change on a grinding machine designed to finish metal parts.
The worker was in the process of the tool change when another worker turned the grinding machine on. This resulted in an injury.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development found that a fixed barrier guard at the front of the machine that protected workers from moving parts had been removed.
Following a guilty plea in Provincial Offences Court, Stratford, the Company was fined $80,000 by Justice of the Peace, Michele Thompson; Crown Counsel, Judy Chan.
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:
Stackpole International Powder Metal was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario ‘Industrial Establishments’ sector 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 is a direct 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.”
Everyone, who has read my blog for a while now, knows that Machine Guarding is the #1 problem in the Ontario ‘Industrial’ sector.
Falls may be the #1 hazard for ‘Construction’ but Machine Guarding has continually been at the top of the industrial list.
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.