SARNIA, ON, Aug. 26 /CNW/ - Vulcan Containers Ltd., a manufacturer and re-conditioner of steel and plastic drums based in Petrolia, Ont., was fined $70,000 on August 23, 2005 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in serious, permanent injuries to an employee.
On May 6, 2004, a worker was working on a drum re-roller machine, which is used to re-condition old drums. The worker's glove got caught between a drum and the machine, pulling the worker's arm in between the drum and the machine. The worker's arm was crushed, requiring surgery and resulting in permanent injuries. The incident occurred at Vulcan Containers Ltd.'s plant on Centre Street in Petrolia, Ont.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that a machine guard on the re-roller was inadequate in that it did not prevent access to a moving part of the machine, as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Vulcan Containers Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing, as an employer, to ensure that the measures and procedures prescribed by Section 25 of the Regulation for Industrial Establishments were carried out in the workplace. This was contrary to Section 25(1)(c) of the act.
Justice of the Peace Robert Gay of the Ontario Court of Justice in Sarnia, fined the company $70,000. In addition, 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.
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Court Information at a Glance
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Location:
Ontario Court of Justice
150 North Christina Street
Sarnia, Ontario
Judge: Justice of the Peace Robert Gay
Date/Time: August 23, 2005, 10 a.m.
Defendant: Vulcan Containers Ltd.
Matter: Occupational Health & Safety
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Disponible en français
www.labour.gov.on.ca -30-
For further information: Belinda Sutton, Ministry of Labour,
(416) 326-7405; Jennifer Malabar, Crown Counsel, Legal Services Branch,
Ministry of Labour, (416) 212-7508
