Worker’s hand caught in unguarded rotating chain, sprocket components of a machine
Prinsco Canada of Winkler, Man. has been fined more than $54,000 for a crushing injuries to a worker.
On April 12, 2016, an 18-year-old worker was working his regular evening shift as a seasonal coiler. The worker had been employed with the company for approximately three and a half months.
The worker was instructed to install rubber trim on the sharp edges of the resin mixer. While performing the work, the resin mixer remained in operation and its unguarded moving parts continued to rotate.
When the worker became distracted by an alarm that went off at another work station, his hand got caught in the unguarded rotating chain and sprocket components of the machine. The worker suffered amputations of his left middle and index fingers as well as crushing injuries to his left ring finger.
The employer failed to notify Workplace Safety and Health Branch of the incident as per requirements under the provincial legislation.
On Sept. 25, 2018, Prinsco Canada pleaded guilty to two counts under the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations:
•Section 16.5(1)(a) of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulations, M.R. 217/2006 to the charge of failing to ensure that a machine has safeguards on it that will prevent a worker from coming into contact with moving parts on the machine.
•Section 2.7(1) of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulations, M.R. 217/2006 to the charge of failing to immediately and by the fastest means of communication available, notify the Branch of a serious incident involving an employee.
Source: Government of Manitoba
