Blog Post #406 – Cinram International Inc. Fined $55,000 after Worker Injured

Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’

Cinram International Inc., an international maker of CDs and DVDs, was fined $55,000 yesterday for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On June 16, 2009, at the company’s workplace in Scarborough, a worker was cutting pieces of steel. The worker was aligning a piece of steel to be cut and had placed one hand near an open vice. The worker accidentally hit a switch that closed the vice, which crushed part of the worker’s hand.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the moving vice was not guarded to prevent a worker from accessing its pinch point.

Cinram International Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that moving vices were guarded to prevent access to a pinch point.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Patrick Marum. In addition to the fine, the court 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:

Cinram International Inc. was found guilty of a contravention of  section 25 of the Ontario ‘Industrial’ regulation 851/90 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.”

Where were the professional design engineer and the planning committee? Why were all possible hazards not recognized at the design stage? Where was the supervisor?

All possible safety questions need to be asked and the issues addressed before the work is done and while the work is being done. The operator needed better protection from the hazards and the employer didn’t do everything reasonable to protect their workforce in this case. Too bad!

Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

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

We can also be reached at 

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.