Brampton, Ont. - Millard Refrigerated Services Canada ULC, a Brampton warehousing and distribution facility, was fined $75,000 on September 11, 2009, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a young worker was injured.

On March 8, 2008, the temporary worker was putting stickers on boxes and manually loading them into a trailer.  While a supervisor was on a break, the worker tried using a stand up lifting device to move the boxes.  While operating the device in reverse, the worker lost control, and it crashed through a closed loading door and fell over, pinning the worker's leg to the ground.  The worker suffered foot and ankle injuries.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the worker had not received any safety training from Millard Refrigerated Services.

Millard Refrigerated Services pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing to provide information, instruction and supervision to the worker with respect to the safety rules for temporary employees.

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, 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., Courtroom B2

                                    Brampton, Ont.

Judge:                        

Justice of the Peace Hilda Weiss

Date of Conviction:

September 11, 2009

Defendants:

Millard Refrigerated Services Canada ULC

Matter:

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:

OHSA, section 25(2)(a)

Crown Counsel:

Alexandra Bednar