Laminacorr Industries Inc pleaded guilty because machine was left unguarded
Laminacorr Industries Inc. has been fined $50,000 after pleading guilty to a violation of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act that led to a worker being critically injured.
The company manufacturers corrugated plastic products and wooden pallets and in July 2021 a worker was hurt while performing duties at the company’s facility in Cornwall, Ontario.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development says the employee was operating a machine called a Baker Single Notcher, “putting notches into 2” x 4" boards that would serve as the base for pallets.”
A piece of wood was left in the notcher and when the worker tried to retrieve the piece he was seriously hurt because the “in-running nip hazard between the cutting heads of the machine was unguarded.”
Laminacorr admits it failed to ensure the measures and procedures prescribed were carried out in the workplace.
In addition to the fine, the court also imposed a 25 percent victim fine surcharge which is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
