3M Canada Company Fined $55,000 After Worker Injured

Ottawa, ON - 3M Canada Company was fined $55,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On September 24, 2009, a worker at 3M's manufacturing facility in Perth was operating a production line. The worker was notified of a defect in the product coming out of the line. To fix the problem, the worker attempted to wipe a blade in the line. The blade was attached to a pair of rollers that guided the product through the line. The worker's hand was drawn into the machine by these rollers. The worker suffered a hand injury.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the blade and rollers were not guarded.

3M Canada Company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the machine was guarded to prevent access to the pinch point.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Raymond J. Switzer.  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

                                    100 Constellation Cres.

                                    Ottawa, ON

Judge:                         Justice of the Peace Raymond J. Switzer

Date of Sentencing:    February 24, 2011

Defendants:                3M Canada Corporation

Matter:                        Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:                 Ontario Regulation 851/90, Section 25

Crown Counsel:         Joe Ferraro

PDF Version - 27 Kb