Worker seriously injured in incident involving a pulley system
Saskatchewan employer Shercom Industries Inc. has been fined $85,714.29 plus a $34,285.71 surcharge for a total amount of $120,000 for an incident that left one worker seriously injured.
The incident took place on July 7, 2020, in Martensville. A worker was seriously injured when their glove became trapped in the belt of a pulley system. Using gloves when working with a gin wheel can help prevent rope burn, according to HSSE World.
On Tuesday, Shercom Industries pleaded guilty in Saskatoon Provincial Court to one violation of occupational health and safety legislation.
The company admitted to contravening clause 137(1)(a) of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations,1996 or being an employer, failing to provide an effective safeguard where a worker may contact a dangerous moving part of a machine, resulting in a serious injury to a worker.
“Employers are required to provide safe and healthy workplaces, and must provide information, training and experience necessary for employees to perform their jobs safely,” according to the Saskatchewan government.
“The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, inspections and prosecutions.”
“Using a gin or pulley wheel is a low-cost and convenient way of raising or lowering a load,” according to HSSE Word. It noted, however, there are some risks associated with using gin or pulley wheels, including:
- A hoisting rope that does not have a proper safety hook or knots at the end.
- A hoisting rope that is worn and needs to be removed from service.
- A load that exceeds the weight capacity of the components or the ability of workers to lift it.
- A load is not secured properly
- A bucket or load that strikes the scaffold or building, causing the load to tip and fall.
- An improperly lashed item
- Improper use of the lift
- A poorly fitted or maintained lift
- Damaged rope or connectors
- Lack of or poor implementation of exclusion zones
- Items that aren’t suitable to be lifted, such as buckets or pails.
Previously, New Brunswick employer AV Terrace Bay Inc. was fined $80,000 after pleading guilty to a violation that led to a worker getting caught in “Nip Rolls” resulting in injuries.
Also, Schindler Elevator Corporation was fined $60,000 after a worker’s hand was pulled into the in-running nip point created by an elevator’s hoist ropes and sheave, leading to injuries.
