Blog Post #504 – Bonduelle Ontario Inc. Fined $65,000 after Worker Injured

Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’

Bonduelle Ontario Inc., the Strathroy owner and operator of a vegetable processing plant, was fined $65,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On September 20, 2010, a worker at the company’s Tecumseh facility was cleaning a machine. Part of the machine consisted of a waste chute that contained a rotating vane to control the rate of debris falling onto a conveyor. The worker noticed debris in this part of the machine and reached a hand up through the bottom of the chute to clean the area. The machine was not equipped with a guard to prevent access to its pinch point, and the worker’s arm was trapped.

After a trial, on December 18, 2012, Bonduelle Ontario Inc. was found guilty of failing to ensure that the machine was guarded to prevent access to its pinch point, for the safety of a worker.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Angela Renaud. 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:

Bonduelle Ontario 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.”

‘Machine Guarding’ is a health and safety course offered by HRS Group Inc. The course is usually only 4-6 hours in length and, in this case, may have saved Bondruelle’s employee the injury. Engineering should have devised proper guarding as part of the install process prior to any employee using the equipment. This has to be the case because all potential pinch points have to be identified and guards in placed to prevent access. THAT IS THE LAW!

As you can see, it cost Bonduelle $65,000 + $16,250 which equals $81,250 to find that out.

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 ‘Due Diligence’, ‘Machine Guarding’  and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. 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.