Windsor, Ont. - Ventra Group Co., a Nova Scotia manufacturer of vehicle parts carrying on business as Veltri Canada - Howard Division in Ontario, was fined $65,000 on August 11, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.

On September 17, 2007, at the company's plant in Windsor, a forklift operator was walking to the shipping area.  Another forklift operator was driving a forklift to the same area, but using a different aisle.  The first worker crossed the intersection of the two aisles and was hit by the forklift driven by the second operator.  The worker was thrown about five meters and sustained head injuries.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that there were no stop signs or other safeguards posted in that area.

Ventra Group Co. pleaded guilty, under the OHSA, to failing to ensure barriers, warning signs, or other safeguards were used where vehicle or pedestrian traffic could endanger the safety of a worker.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Elaine Babcock.  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

                                    251 Goyeau St.

                                    Windsor

Judge:                        

Justice of the Peace Elaine Babcock

Date of Conviction:

August 11, 2009

Defendants:

Ventra Group Co. carrying on business as Veltri Canada - Howard Division

Matter:                      

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction(s):

Ontario Regulation 851, section 20

Crown Counsel:

Catherine Glaister