Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
Veyance Technologies Canada, Inc. has pleaded guilty and has been fined $80,000 after two workers suffered hand injuries in separate incidents. The company’s plant at 45 Raynes Avenue in Bowmanville processes and manufactures conveyor belts and employs about 130 employees.
In the first incident, which took place February 20, 2013, a worker was moving a boom into position to lift it with a 50-ton overhead crane. The worker was moving a steel cable belt roll weighing over 72,000 pounds with the aid of a ‘keeper bar’ attached to the belt roll. The boom was being moved to the keeper bar when one of the worker’s fingers became pinched between the boom and keeper bar; a finger was partly amputated.
In the second incident, which took place December 18, 2013, another worker was using a knife to cut frayed threads which had been accumulating on a roller. While cutting off the threads, the worker’s glove on one hand got caught in an in-running nip hazard created by the brake and rollers. The nip hazard pulled the hand between the rollers and resulted in the amputation of two fingers.
The company pleaded guilty and was fined $30,000 on the first incident and $50,000 on the second by Justice of the Peace Leona M. Dombrowsky in Whitby court on March 4, 2015.
In addition to the fines, 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:
Veyance Technologies Canada, Inc. was found guilty of a contravention of section 25 of the Ontario ‘Industrial’ regulation 851/90 states,
“When an in-running nip hazard on a machine that may endanger the safety of any worker must be equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to the pinch point.”
Veyance Technologies Canada, Inc. was also found guilty of a contravention of section 45 (a) of the Ontario ‘Industrial’ regulation 851/90 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.”
Finally, Veyance Technologies Canada, Inc. was found guilty of a contravention of section 25, subsection 1 (c) of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) which states,
“An employer shall ensure that,
(b) The measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace.”
I wonder if this company actually thought of health and safety as part of their daily programs? It seems that one accident wasn’t enough for them and two accidents must be better. I know that I’m very cynical being a very prolific blogger but the names change and the accident still happen.
Please ensure that your workplace is a safe place! Don’t be another company like this that fails in their duties to the employee. Workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility but it starts at the top! If you are the head of a company to pay attention to all the violations that are listed in this blog. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Health and safety does not have to be costly either. It gets costly when you don’t! Change culture in your workplace to one of health and safety and certainly be glad you did!
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’, Overhead Crane 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.