Quote
Ministry of Labour

CKF Inc. fined $55,000 for health and safety violation

TORONTO, June 2 /CNW/ - CKF Inc., a Toronto-based manufacturer of polystyrene (foam) dinner plates and containers used in the food service industry, was fined $55,000 today for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in hand injuries to an employee.

On July 8, 2004, a worker was feeding a roll of polystyrene foam into an "unwinder machine" (a machine that uncoils foam rolls) when the worker's right hand got caught between the pinch points of two running rollers. The worker was able to stop the rollers by using the left hand to activate a nearby emergency stop button. However, the worker's right hand remained trapped for about 20 minutes until another worker was able to open the rollers. The first worker suffered injuries to the right palm. A Ministry of Labour investigation determined the "unwinder machine" was not equipped with a guarding device to prevent access to the rollers while they were running. The incident occurred at the company's plant at 30 Iron Street in Toronto.

CKF Inc. pleaded guilty, as an employer, to failing to ensure measures and procedures prescribed by Section 25 of the Regulations for Industrial Establishments were carried out at the workplace. This was contrary to Section 25(1)(c) of the act.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Sunny Ng of the Ontario Court of Justice at Old City Hall in Toronto. 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.


Court Information at a Glance
-----------------------------

Location:
Ontario Court of Justice
Old City Hall
60 Queen Street West, Courtroom C
Toronto, Ontario

Judge: Justice of the Peace Sunny Ng

Date/Time: June 2, 2005, 9 a.m.

Defendant: CKF Inc.

Matter: Occupational Health & Safety
(submitted by Tony Moscioni)