Kingston, Ont. - Metro Ontario Inc., an Etobicoke grocery store operator, was fined $55,000 yesterday for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

On October 15, 2007, a Ministry of Labour inspector responded to a health and safety complaint at Metro Ontario's Food Basics store on Bath Rd. in Kingston.  The inspector noted that on one loading dock, the dock plate bridging back of off-loading trucks with the store's receiving area was broken.  It was not lifting on its own, and workers were using their hands and feet to lift and lower the plate. This exposed the workers to a crushing hazard.  The inspector found that members of the store's Joint Health and Safety Committee, including the store manager, had been aware of the problem since June 2007.

Metro Ontario Inc. pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing to ensure the dock plate was maintained in good condition.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Catharine E. Hickling.  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

                                    279 Wellington St.

                                    Kingston

Judge:                        

Justice of the Peace Catharine E. Hickling

Date of Conviction:

August 6, 2009

Defendants:

Metro Ontario Inc.

Matter:                      

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction(s):

OHSA, section 25(1)(b)

Crown Counsel:

Linda Chen