Olympic Plastic Bags (1983) Ltd. Fined $85,000 After Worker Killed
November 19, 2010 3:00 PM
Toronto, ON. - Olympic Plastic Bags (1983) Ltd., a plastic bag manufacturer, was fined $85,000 yesterday for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that caused a worker's death.
On August 13, 2009, at the company's Toronto plant, a worker and supervisor were removing a horizontal beam from the second level of a racking system. To access the beam, the worker stood on the wooden pallet on a lift truck while the supervisor raised the pallet. The worker had trouble dislodging the beam so the supervisor went to get another lift truck to better access the beam. Meanwhile, the worker, left alone on the raised pallet of the lift truck, fell about 3.5 meters to the concrete floor. The worker died after sustaining severe head injuries as a result of the fall.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the platform of the lift truck was not in compliance with the Ontario Regulations for Industrial Establishments and the worker was not using a permanently installed seat.
Olympic Plastic Bags (1983) Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the beam in the racking system was moved in such a way that it did not endanger the safety of a worker.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Kevin Madigan. 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.
On August 13, 2009, at the company's Toronto plant, a worker and supervisor were removing a horizontal beam from the second level of a racking system. To access the beam, the worker stood on the wooden pallet on a lift truck while the supervisor raised the pallet. The worker had trouble dislodging the beam so the supervisor went to get another lift truck to better access the beam. Meanwhile, the worker, left alone on the raised pallet of the lift truck, fell about 3.5 meters to the concrete floor. The worker died after sustaining severe head injuries as a result of the fall.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the platform of the lift truck was not in compliance with the Ontario Regulations for Industrial Establishments and the worker was not using a permanently installed seat.
Olympic Plastic Bags (1983) Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the beam in the racking system was moved in such a way that it did not endanger the safety of a worker.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Kevin Madigan. 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
70 Centre Ave.
Toronto, ON
Judge: Justice of the Peace Kevin Madigan
Date of Conviction: November 18, 2010
Defendants: Olympic Plastic Bags (1983) Ltd.
Matter: Occupational Health and Safety
Conviction: Ontario Regulation 851, Section 45(a)
Crown Counsel: Alexandra Bednar
CONTACTS
- Matt Blajer
Communications Branch
416-326-7405
Ministry of Labour
ontario.ca/labour
ontario.ca/labour
Communities
