Excerpt from the Government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
Nelco Mechanical Limited, a Kitchener company that installs and maintains heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units, was fined $65,000 on April 28, 2010 for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.
On May 26, 2008, two Nelco workers were using a crane to remove an HVAC unit from the roof of a Toronto business. A few days earlier, Nelco’s site supervisor told the workers that the power to the HVAC unit was disconnected. The workers attached the unit to the crane and started to lift it when they noticed the power cable was still attached. Believing that the cable was de-energized, one of the workers used sheet metal cutters to cut it. The worker was electrocuted, lost consciousness and collapsed.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the unit’s power supply had not been disconnected. The voltage of the cable was 600 volts.
Nelco Mechanical Limited pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the power supply to the HVAC unit was disconnected, locked out of service and tagged before, and while, any work was done.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Joanna T. Opalinski. 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:
Nelco Mechanical Limited was found guilty of violating section 190 (4) of the Ontario’s ‘Construction’ regulation 213/91 which states,
“An employer shall ensure that the power supply to the electrical equipment, installation or conductor shall be disconnected, locked out of service and tagged before the work begins, and kept disconnected, locked out of service and tagged while the work continues.”
HRS Group teaches many different courses including lockout/tagout. One of the first courses a trades person is given discusses the locking out and tagging of the electrical power, as well as all other types of secondary power, before the work is ever started.
The primary source is usually a power panel of some kind and then there are hydraulic, pneumatic, pressurized lines or whatever is still powering the system and aim for “zero energy’ state.
There are five types of hazardous energy and they are:
1) Electrical
2) Chemical
3) Kinetic
4) Thermal Radiation
5) Pressure
The problem is the workplace is complacency. Someone not trained in lockout and tagout would have assumed the line was de-energized. The perfect time for an accident! Right?
A few lockout and tagout misconceptions are:
1) It only involves electricity
2) It only involves maintenance personnel
3) It only involves having the guarding in place
4) It only involves ensuring the power has been turned off
A few secondary sources of energy may be:
1) Electrical feedback from other sources
2) Static electrical power
3) Stored compressed air systems
4) Hydraulic power systems
5) Piped-in fluids and gases
6) Potential mechanical movement
7) Spring pressure
As you can see, there is much to consider about lockout and tagout. All employees in and around the maintenance of equipment require the proper training. Never assume someone has lockout out the system. If you do not apply a lock to the system, then you are not allowed, by law, to enter. Many companies have a sub-committee for the JHSC just to deal with lockout and tagout. It is that important!
ONE LOCK, ONE PERSON!
Remember — In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety need including ‘Lockout and Tagout’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
We can also be reached at info@hrsgroup.com
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
You have my full attention.
Truthfully, I think you are gifted.
This is good stuff.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
The contents are masterwork, you have done a great activity on this matter!
I read a lot of interesting posts here. You spend a lot
of time writing.
Fantastic site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
Hi! I simply want to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you have right here on this post.
Excellent article, just what I was looking for.
Very good blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after looking at many of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
Hi are using Word-Press for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own.
This is certainly worth going over!
Awesome info and straight to the point.
I used to be able to find good info from your articles.
Thanks for sharing your information!
Spot on with this posting!
Simply want to say your article is amazing!
It’s remarkable to visit this website and reading the reviews.
This is a topic that is close to my heart.
We prefer to honour this web web-site.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
Keep this going please, great job!
Here is a great weblog.
Site of interest we’ve a link to, thank you.
These items impacted all of us!
I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great data you have here on this post.
I might be coming again to your blog soon.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
Here is a site that is really worth visiting.
An impressive source of facts!
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Thanks for supplying these details.
The data mentioned inside the report are several of the best obtainable.
Hey very interesting blog!
This piece of writing will help the internet visitors for building up new blog or even a blog from start to end.
Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would love to
have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would appreciate your work.
If you are even remotely interested, feel free
to shoot me an e-mail.
Thank you!
Very informative.
Hello Web Admin, I noticed that your On-Page SEO is is missing a few factors.
This site has taught me many things now. Thank you for taking the time.
You’ve performed a fantastic job. I will definitely digg it and
personally recommend to my friends.
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this post is awesome!
Say, you got a nice blog post. Great.
One of our guests a short while ago encouraged us to come to the following website.
This is surely worth going over.
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this brilliant blog!
Howdy this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
Usually posts have some very intriguing stuff like this.
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
Wow, awesome blog structure! How long have you ever been running a blog for?
Wow, this paragraph is nice, my younger sister is analyzing such things, so I am going to
inform her.
Here is a link to this fabulous website.
I love coming here!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
Hello, I am loving this!
Pretty component of content.
Aw, this was a very good post.
Wonderful points altogether, you simply won a new reader.
Bookmarked!!, I really like your website!
You’re so intelligent.
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been conducting a little research on this.
The data mentioned inside the report are a few of the best out there.
Fantastic post, very informative.
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your site?
Have a look here!
If you want to grow your know-how simply keep visiting this web page and be updated with the most recent news update posted here.
Thanks a lot.
Very good post! We are linking to this particularly great content on our site.
This is good stuff!
Many thanks!
Bless you for sharing with us your web-site.
Wonderful story.
Your article perfectly shows what I needed to know, thanks!
WOW just what I was looking for.
Sites of interest we’ve a link to.
Hi there, just became alert to your blog thru Google, and found that it’s really informative.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
I am not sure that I like where the health and safety of the workplace is going these days!
The time to study or pay a visit to the content material is now!
You have noted very interesting points!
Awesome blog article. Much thanks again. Awesome.
I simply want to tell you that I am new to web blogging and actually liked this web blog.
Magnificent posting!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
I’m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining.
A big thank you for your article post.
Really looking forward to read more.
I am reading this wonderfully informative article.
This is really good!
Regards for sharing your blog.
Great post however I was wanting to know if you could write a little more on this subject?
You have a fantastic blog here!
I have studied some great websites.
I just want to tell you that I am very new to blogs and truly liked your blog site.
I like this website so much, saved to favorites.
I will follow you!
We came across this cool web page which you may possibly delight in.
Hello Web Admin, I noticed that your On-Page SEO is is missing a few factors.
Carry on the outstanding work!
Thank you, I have recently been searching for info about this subject for a while.
Great posting!
Thanks for sharing this type of nice idea.
I enjoy the things I see so now I am following you.
My programmer is attempting to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
This can be a topic which can be near to my heart…
Cheers! Where are your contact info though?
Greetings! This is my first visit to your website!
I wish to read a lot more reasons for it!
It’s impressive.
Thanks a whole lot.
Your means of telling a story is actually good.
It’s an remarkable post for every one of the web users.
Howdy just wanted to provide you with a fast heads up.
The text in your content are most often running from the screen in Firefox.
Hello there, just became aware about your site through Google.
We’re a team of volunteers and opening a whole new blog within our community.
Excellent article!
I found this article at this site.
Much thanks again. Will read on…
Fantastic article post.
You definitely come with excellent article content.
Please let me know if you are looking for an author for your blog.
Bless you for revealing your web-site.
Thanks a lot for sharing with us your web page.
Thanks a bunch for revealing your web-site.
Regards for sharing your web site.
Bless you for sharing with us your web site.
Cool site. dude Keep up the good work!
I’m still trying to figure out what happened on other health and safety issues!
No one writes the way you do!
I realize how this looks.
Good luck!
Excellent!
More of the same!
Yes, you have a point!
More of the same!
More of the same!
Good luck!
Cheers for sharing with us your website page.
Thank you for sharing your web-page.
Well done!
Write more, that’s all I have to say.
Hi there, I enjoy reading through your article.
Good stories!
Good website!
This is one of your best!
More of the same!
It is nearly impossible to find experienced people on health and safety issues but you sound like you know what you are talking about! Thanks
I value you sharing your viewpoint.
World class!
I will follow you!
You are the best!
I will follow you!
I love this site!
More of the same!
This is a cool website!
You are the best!
Many thanks!
You are the best!
Good luck!
I love your blog.
Thank you! Want more.
You are one of the best!
World class!
You are the best!
Wonderful story.
Good luck!
This is a good site!
You are the best!
Wonderful story.
Thank you ever so for you blog.
You are the best!
World class!
They is really good!
Thanks!
More of the same!
Thanks!
Hey there would you mind letting me know which web-host you’re utilizing?
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Thanks
Many thanks!
Great blog!
Thanks a lot!
Good luck!
I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude!
Magnificent task!
I have been browsing on-line over 3 hours and like what I see here.
Thanks!
Thanks for another marvelous posting!
I really like whatever you guys are generally up to.
Good website!
Thanks a lot for posting.
Hello there, I came across your web site via Google.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site.
Remarkable issues here. I’m very glad to see your post.
So far so good!
Thanks for the marvelous posting!
Appreciate the advice.
Hello, I read your blogs daily.
Many thanks!
I really like coming here.