Kingston, Ont. - Sousa Ready Mix (1011786 Ontario Inc.) of Glenburnie was fined $80,000 on October 22, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.

On October 22, 2007, a Sousa worker was trying to clear sand from a conveyor while it was in motion. The worker's arm got caught in the conveyor and was seriously injured.

After trial, Sousa Ready Mix was found guilty under the OHSA of failing as an employer to ensure that the conveyor was cleared only when motion that would endanger the worker had been stopped and the conveyor properly blocked to prevent movement.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Lorraine A. Watson. In addition to the fine, the court also 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

                                    279 Wellington Street, Courtroom 1

                                    Kingston, Ont.

Judge:

Justice of the Peace Lorraine A. Watson

Date of Conviction:

October 22, 2009

Defendants:

1011786 Ontario Inc. carrying on business as Sousa Ready Mix

Matter:

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:

Ontario Regulation 851, Section 75

Crown Counsel:

Catherine Glaister