Imasar Engineering Inc. Fined $80,000 After Worker Injured

Belleville, ON. -Imasar Engineering Inc., a Concord-based company offering consulting engineering services in workplace safety, was fined $80,000 on December 20, 2010, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On December 12, 2008, an Imasar consultant was conducting a pre-start health and safety review of a tile backing line at the InterfaceFlor Canada Inc. carpet manufacturing plant at 233 Lahr Drive in Belleville. The tile backing line was in full operation as the consultant began to point out an in-running nip hazard between two rollers. The consultant's arm was caught between the rollers and severely injured.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that Imasar failed to take the reasonable precaution of providing clear instructions and procedures for a worker to follow when inspecting unguarded moving parts of equipment.

Imasar Engineering Inc. pleaded guilty to failing, as an employer, to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.

The fine was imposed by Justice Patrick A.Sheppard. 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

                                    15 Victoria Avenue

                                    Belleville, ON

Judge:                         Justice Patrick A.Sheppard

Date of Conviction:      December 20, 2010

Defendants:                 Imasar Engineering Inc.

Matter:                         Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:                  Occupational Health and Safety Act, Section 25(2)(h)

Crown Counsel:           Alexandra Bednar

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