Report from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
A worker, employed by Aarkel Tool and Die Inc. of Wallaceburg, Ontario, an automotive tooling manufacturer, was critically injured after a lower carrier assembly tipped and fell. The company failed, as an employer, to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker as required by section 25(2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
On November 20, 2022, a worker was using an overhead crane to fit two parts of a heavy steel automotive tool together – a shot block and a carrier assembly. Once the shot block was lowered onto the carrier assembly, the worker used jackscrews under the assembly to try and secure the object from tipping.
The jackscrews were not bolted, secured or attached to the work surface or the assembly. While the shot block was positioned on the carrier assembly, the worker pulled on it and felt it move. The lower carrier assembly then tipped and fell off the work surface, critically injuring the worker.
Following a guilty plea in the Provincial Offences Court in Chatham, Aarkel Tool and Die Inc., was fined $75,000 by Justice of the Peace Helen M. Gale. Crown Counsel was Steven Succi.
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:
Aarkel Tool and Die Inc., was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), section 25, subsection 2(a) which states,
“An employer shall,
- provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker.”
Very simple, the employer needs to ensure the worker has ALL the necessary information, about the job, prior to the work being done.
Enough said!
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Due Diligence’ and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’.
Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
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.