Ontario plastics molder fined $55,000 after worker injured

Amhil Enterprises Ltd., a Burlington, Ont.-based plastics processer, was fined $55,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On June 29, 2010, at the company’s Mississauga, Ont. facility, a supervisor and two workers were clearing a jam in a machine. The machine was not locked out to prevent it from reenergizing. When the supervisor left to get assistance, one of the workers put a hand into an opening in the machine and part of the worker’s hand was severed.

The company had a general lock out policy, but it did not have a written policy for the lock out and tag of out this particular machine.

The company pleaded guilty to failing to take the reasonable precaution of having a written policy for the lock out and tag out of the machine.

In addition to the fine, 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.