Woodstock, Ont. - Aaroc Aggregates Limited, a London operator of four mining pits, was fined $65,000 on August 13, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.

On February 21, 2008, a worker was breaking down frozen material on the surface of a gravel stockpile with an excavator.  A large amount of material broke free and hit the side of the excavator's boom and cab, injuring the worker's foot.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that Aaroc did not address the hazards of removing frozen material from the stockpile.

Aaroc Aggregates Limited pleaded guilty under the OHSA of failing, as an employer, to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of that worker.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Robert T. 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

                                    415 Hunter St., Courtroom 5

                                    Woodstock, Ont.

Judge:                        

Justice of the Peace Robert T. Gay

Date of Conviction:

August 13, 2009

Defendants:

Aaroc Aggregates Limited

Matter:

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:

OHSA, Section 25 (2) (a)

Crown Counsel:

Natasha Wilson