Toronto, Ont. - Atlas Concrete Accessories Ltd. pleaded guilty and was fined $60,000 on January 13, 2010, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.  Director Mohammed Ally also pleaded guilty and was fined $5,000.

On July 14, 2008, a worker at the company's metal stamping shop in Toronto was greasing the gears of a machine while it was in motion.  The worker's hand got caught in the gears and was partially amputated.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the guard preventing access to the gears had been removed two weeks earlier, at the director's request, because the machine was overheating.

Atlas Concrete Accessories Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the machine was adequately guarded.  Mohammed Ally pleaded guilty to the same.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Alice Napier.  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

                                    60 Queen St. W.

                                    Old City Hall

                                    Toronto, Ont.

Judge:                          Justice of the Peace Alice Napier

Date of Conviction:     January 13, 2010

Defendant:                  Atlas Concrete Accessories Ltd.

                                    Mohammed Ally

Matter:                        Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:                 Ontario Regulation 851, Section 25

Crown Counsel:          Line Forestier