Unguarded punch press machine trapped worker’s hand
4-Way Metal Fabricators Ltd. of Bolton, ON will be required to pay a total fine of $81,250 after a worker sustained injuries whilst working at an unguarded punch press machine. The worker’s hand became trapped under the ram of the punch press and he was subsequently injured.
The incident occurred on Nov. 13, 2018. He had been placed at 4-Way Metal through an employment agency called H & H Employment. At the time of the incident, he had been working at the company for only a short period of time.
As well as an initial $65,000 fine, the court has imposed an additional 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, required by the Provincial Offences Act. This surcharge amounts $16,250, bringing the total fine to $81,250.
Section 25 of Ontario Regulation 851/90, the Regulation for Industrial Establishments, states that an in-running nip hazard or any part of a machine, device or thing that may endanger the safety of any worker, be equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to the pinch point.
4-Way Metal Fabricators Ltd. failed as an employer to ensure that the measures and procedures prescribed by section 25 of O. Reg. 851/90 were carried out at the workplace. This is an offence pursuant to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Source: Government of Ontario
