Kitchener, Ont. - Arriscraft International GPT Limited, a Cambridge maker of masonry building products, was fined $70,000 on July 21, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.

On August 30, 2007, a worker was operating a machine that processes calcium silicate building stones.  One stone needed adjusting.  In doing this manually, the worker suffered severe hand injuries.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that Arriscraft did not create and implement a formal policy for safely operating the machine.

Arriscraft International GPT Limited pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing, as an employer, to take every precaution reasonable for the protection of the worker.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Robert Gay.  In addition to the fine, the court also imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge on the total, 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

                                    77 Queen Street, Courtroom 102

                                    Kitchener, Ont

Judge:                        

Justice of the Peace Robert Gay

Date of Conviction:

July 21, 2009

Defendants:

Arriscraft International GPT Limited

Matter:

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction(s):

OHSA, Section 25(2)(h)

Crown Counsel:

Neil Gobardhan