Brampton, Ont. - CHEP Canada Inc., a Mississauga maker and repairer of wooden pallets, was fined $75,000 on August 11, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.

On February 22, 2008, at the company's Brampton facility, a bi-fold table, with two sides that can be raised to support a pallet standing on its edge, was stuck in the upright position.  A maintenance worker, asked to repair it, tried to hold the table's side up when it started to come down on its own.  The worker was pushed to the ground and suffered wrist injuries.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that locking pins had been placed to support the table in its upright position.  But, they had been removed some time before the worker's repairs were finished.  Also, the company had not instructed or informed the worker of its lockout procedures for this bi-fold table.

CHEP Canada Inc. pleaded guilty, under the OHSA, to failing to provide information, instruction and supervision on lockout procedures for the bi-fold tables to all workers who use or repair them.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Hilda Weiss.  In addition to the fine, the court 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

                                    5 Ray Lawson Blvd.

                                    Brampton

Judge:

Justice of the Peace Hilda Weiss

Date of Conviction:

August 11, 2009

Defendants:

CHEP Canada Inc.

Matter:

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction(s):

OHSA, section (25)(2)(a)

Crown Counsel:

Courtney Harris