Blog Post #577 – Amputation in Entrainment

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine

Waterloo Textiles Ltd., a yarn manufacturer in Cambridge, Ontario, has been fined $75,000 after pleading guilty to failing to ensure a machine was equipped with a guard or other device to prevent access to moving parts.

Charges were laid in connection with the injury of a worker on August 17, 2009. After opening the cover of a machine used to create yarn, the worker found excessive fibres gathered inside, notes a statement from the MOL.

While trying to remove the fibres, the worker’s fingers got caught in the machine, resulting in his arm being drawn in. He sustained a partial amputation.

My opinion,

This is a repeat of the same story from my blog post #372 issued June 23, 2013. The original posting came from the ‘Newsroom’ of the Ontario government. This particular post is derived from the OH&S Canada magazine from the October/November 2011 copy and I found it very intriguing.

Machine guarding is a must when there is a chance for a worker to come in contact with moving parts. Manufacturers MUST engineer machinery with appropriate guarding, strong enough to withstand forces of impact and to be engineered enough to protect the worker from all possible access.

I remember having a client that purchased a large forklift truck without guard around the engine assembly. My client was told that they would come out and drill holes and put on the cover guards for $500.00 a piece. I gave them a better offer, I let them know that I was going to report them to the government of Ontario and let them know that there is an Ontario company building machinery without guards. Without making too much of a point, the manufacturer saw the light and fixed the problem free of charge.

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 – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.

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