Worker was hurt while performing maintenance on machine that was not locked out
NTN Bearing Corporation of Canada Limited, operating as NTN Bearing Mfg. Canada, has been fined $50,000 following a workplace injury that occurred on May 27, 2022.
A worker was hurt while performing maintenance on an AVG (Vacuumed Drying and Grease) machine at the company’s facility in Mississauga, Ontario.
The machine was not properly locked out during the maintenance procedure. The worker attempted to adjust the machine's airflow by reaching into its vacuum head to access a control valve. While the worker's arm was inside the machine, the vacuum head moved down and caused an injury.
It was discovered that the machine's front access door was equipped with a safety interlock device designed to prevent the machine from cycling when the door was open unless a bypass key was used. Technicians, engineers, supervisors, and certain machine operators were provided with these bypass keys. However, there were no established policies, procedures, risk assessments, or worker training programs for the proper use of these keys.
The manufacturer of ball and roller bearings was convicted for failing to ensure the machine in question was properly locked out during maintenance, as required by section 75 of Ontario Regulation 851.
In addition to the $50,000 fine, a 25 percent victim fine surcharge was imposed as mandated by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge will be credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of lockout/tagout programs to ensure workplace safety as well as the need for employers to adhere to all relevant safety regulations and procedures to protect the well-being of their employees.
