Metal manufacturer fined $70,000 for worker injury

Worker’s hand drawn into machine

Continuous Colour Coat, a manufacturer of coated metal products in Rexdale, Ont., has been fined $70,000 after a worker was injured while cleaning a piece of machinery that was not properly guarded. The court also imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act.

 

On April 10, 2018, a worker was cleaning the metering roll of a coater machine. The metering roll was cleaned while the machine was live, running in reverse mode. Once cleaned, the metering roll was inspected for defects by the worker.

 

While inspecting the metering roll, the worker's hand was drawn between the roll and a paint tray, causing injuries.

 

The procedure for cleaning the metering roll required that a guard be in place to prevent an in-running nip hazard. A Ministry of Labour investigation determined that a guard was not in place at the time the worker was injured.

 

Section 25 of Ontario Regulation 851 ( the Industrial Establishments Regulation) states that 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.

 

Continuous Colour Coat failed as an employer to ensure that the exposed pinch point hazard on the metering roll was equipped with a proper guard to prevent access to the in-running nip hazard. This contravened section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act as prescribed by section 25 of Regulation 851.

 

Source: Ontario Ministry of Labour