Sarnia plastics recycler fined after worker injury

A Sarnia, Ont.-based plastics recycler has been fined $410,000 after a worker was pinned and injured by a bale of plastic three years ago.

As reported in the Sarnia Observer, Entropex Limited – a Sarnia partnership – was handed the fine for violations to the Occupational Health and Safety Act earlier this month, following an Ontario Court of Justice decision.

According to an Ontario Ministry of Labour report, on Sept. 14, 2010, a worker was struck by compacted plastic from a baling machine at the company’s facility and pinned against a nearby forklift.

Justice Jamie Shortt found the baler was not guarded to prevent worker access, not maintained in good condition, and that maintenance was performed on the baler while it was in motion.

The court also found Entropex failed, as an employer to provide information, instruction and supervision to protect workers around the baler.

In addition to the fines, the court imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.