QBD Cooling Systems Inc. Fined $50,000 After Worker Injured

Brampton, Ont. - QBD Cooling Systems Inc., a commercial refrigerator manufacturer, pleaded guilty and was fined $50,000 on December 8, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.

On February 26, 2008, at the company's facility in Brampton, a worker was assembling evaporator coils, the component that cools a refrigerator.  The worker started carrying one coil to another area, but the worker's view of the floor was blocked by the coil.  Consequently, the worker misjudged a step over a floor-mounted conveyor and tripped.  The worker fell on the coil assembly and sustained facial injuries.

QBD Cooling Systems Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the evaporator coil assembly was lifted, carried or moved in a way that would not endanger the worker.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Marsha Farnand.  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

                                    7755 Hurontario St.

                                    Brampton, Ont.

Judge:                        

Justice of the Peace Marsha Farnand

Date of Conviction:

December 8, 2009

Defendant:

QBD Cooling Systems Inc.

Matter:

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:

Ontario Regulation 851, Section 45(a)

Crown Counsel:

Mike Nicol