Steel Bar Manufacturer Fined $60,000 After Worker Injured
April 28, 2010 4:40 PM
Hamilton, Ont. - Hamilton Specialty Bar (2007) Inc. was fined $60,000 on April 27 for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured at its factory in Hamilton.
On September 29, 2008, workers were installing a new part in a large furnace used to melt scrap metal. The furnace's roof was open so that the part could be lowered into the furnace with a chain hoist. While one of the workers was guiding the chain by hand, the chain block, which protects the hoist's pulleys, hit the open roof. This caused a piece of slag to fall about 12 metres and strike the worker who was guiding the chain. The worker's arm, shoulder and back were injured.
Hamilton Specialty Bar (2007) Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to protect the worker from the falling slag.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Hugh J. Brown. 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
Hamilton, Ont.
Judge: Justice of the Peace Hugh J. Brown
Date of Conviction: April 27, 2010
Defendant: Hamilton Specialty Bar (2007) Inc.
Matter: Occupational Health and Safety
Conviction: Ontario Regulation 851, Section 35
Crown Counsel: Catherine Glaister
Contacts
- Matt Blajer
Communications Branch
416-326-7405
Ministry of Labour
ontario.ca/labour