Blog Post #1650 – Workplace Injury Results in $175,000 Fine for Cambridge Company

Report from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’

A worker, employed by Canadian General, of Cambridge, Ontario, a company that produces polymeric coated textile fabrics and vinyl films for automotive and industrial applications, was injured after being caught in the pinch point of a machine. The company failed to ensure the worker was protected from the pinch point, as required by section 25 of Ontario Regulation 851/90, contrary to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

On December 1, 2022, workers at an emboss station, where layers of material are combined and embossed onto rolls, noticed a defect mark on the finished product and were trying to determine where the mark was coming from.

A worker entered the emboss station, while the machine was still running, to examine the roller surfaces inside the machine. While inside the running machine, the worker’s gloved hand was caught between two counter-rotating rollers. These created a pinch point that critically injured the worker.

Following a guilty plea in the Provincial Offences Court in Cambridge, the company was fined $175,000 by Justice of the Peace Trudy B. Mauth; Crown Counsel was Neil Gobardhan.

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:

Canadian General was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario ‘Industrial Establishments’ sector regulation, 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.”

This is contrary to 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.”

It is sad, isn’t it?

I keep harping on the number of ‘Machine Guarding’ accidents in the ‘Industrial’ sector and nothing ever seems to change. If the reader will check the subheading ‘Machine Guarding’ on the blog, you will notice the very large number of accidents due to procedural issues or poor design.

Ministry blitzes in this area do not seem to be working.

Design engineers need to be taught a course on ‘Machine Guarding’ and be held accountable when their designs fails the legislation.

Actually, I would say they fail section 31 of the OHSA, subsection 2 which states,

(2) “An architect, as defined in the Architects Act, or an engineer contravenes this Act if, as a result of the architect’s or engineer’s advice that is given or the architect’s or engineer’s certification required under this Act that is made negligently or incompetently, a worker is endangered.”

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.