Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
Resolute FP Canada Inc., carrying on business as Resolute Forest Products Canada, has been fined $55,000 after a worker was injured at a paper mill.
On November 29, 2012, three workers were in the paper mill located at 427 Mowat Avenue in Fort Frances and were moving a 44,000-pound, 22-foot-long stack roll to a paper machine. The workers used two forklifts to place the stack roll onto a designated cart to bring it into the mill; once inside, another forklift was hooked to the front of the cart using a sling. One worker operated the forklift pulling the cart while two others walked along the cart to guide it. To pass through a hallway about eight feet wide, it was necessary for the two workers to manually push and pull on the stack roll. On one side was a concrete wall and on the other was a set of steps and a steel column.
As the cart moved forward, a wheel hit the column, causing the stack roll to move and pinch the arm of one of the workers who had been pushing on the roll. The worker suffered a crushed arm and wrist.
The Ministry of Labour investigated and concluded that Resolute Forest Products failed as an employer to ensure that a stack roll was moved in such a way and with such precautions as to ensure that moving the roll did not endanger the safety of the worker.
The company pleaded guilty and was fined $55,000 by Justice of the Peace Tom Logan.
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:
Resolute FP Canada Inc. was found guilty of contravening Ontario ‘Industrial’ regulation 851, section 45(a), which states,
“Material, articles or things,
(a) required to be lifted, carried or moved, shall be lifted, carried or moved in such a way and with such precautions and safeguards, including protective clothing, guards or other precautions as will ensure that the lifting, carrying or moving of the material, articles or things does not endanger the safety of any worker.”
Resolute FP Canada Inc. was also found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, (OHSA) section 25 (1) (c), which states,
“An employer shall ensure,
The measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace.”
My opinion,It is not enough anymore to run a business without learning all about the safety applications to do with that business. Here we find Resolute FP Canada Inc. not having a set of safe work instructions dealing with this type of movement. I believe it would’ve been better for them to have had fabricated a carrying device specifically for this type of work that is both engineered and safe to use. It would also be prudent upon the employer, prior to the operation, to have a toolbox meeting, supervisor to worker, discussing all the associated hazards and all the controls that are in place to protect the workers.
Nobody ever thinks of setting up a set of procedures until they either hear of an accident or have committed an accident. Just to prove a point, right across the road from our home was a worker using a quick cut saw improperly. No personal protective equipment (PPE) and the improper startup procedure. This bricklaying company was also using scaffolding that did not meet the construction regulations and the new ‘Working at Heights’ requirements. (No mid-rails and no ladders for ease of access) You should see the scaffolding now. Very well put together, thanks to the Ministry of Labour. (MOL)
By the way, the City of Toronto has hired us, once again, to complete quick-cut saw training. This is our fourth class there and probably will not be our last. I wonder if I offered a seat to the bricklaying company would they see fit to send their young worker for competency training. I bet not! I can guarantee the site supervisor has never been trained as well.
Ensure your workplace is a safe place. It is the law!
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’, ‘Material Handling Safety’, ‘Forklift Certification and Re-Certification’ and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.