Report from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
A worker, employed by Spacefile International Corp. of Etobicoke, Ontario, a manufacturer of high-density storage products and solutions, was critically injured after operating a brake press. The company failed, as an employer, to ensure that the machine was guarded, as required by section 24 of Ontario Regulation 851/90, contrary to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
On March 1, 2023, a machine operator was critically injured while operating a brake press to bend a metal sheet. At the time of the incident, the worker was operating the machine using foot controls when the worker’s hands were caught between the upper and lower die of the press.
The machine had no point-of-operation guarding or protective measures in place to prevent access to its pinch point.
Spacefile International Corp. failed, as an employer, to ensure that the machine was equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to its moving part, as required.
My opinion
The law(s) in contravention:
Spacefile International Corp., 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.”
If the reader is keeping up, he/she would know that ‘Machine Guarding’ is the #1 hazard in the industrial sector. Easily #1! You would think that Spacefile International Corp would received the memo.
I do blame most of these incident/accidents to poor machine design.
I am getting tired of repeating myself. I do hope the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development would be completing ‘Industrial’ blitzes on ‘Machine Guarding’.
I would recommend that the Ministry create a team to look into Machine Guarding accidents only! They sure would be busy!
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Due Diligence’ and ‘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.
I will follow you!