Safety violation earns auto parts manufacturer a hefty fine
March 21, 2017 | By Rehana Begg
Brampton, ON – Martinrea International Inc., carrying on business as Hydroform Solutions, pleaded guilty and has been fined $75,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries when machinery fell while being lifted with an overhead crane.
Martinrea is an automotive parts manufacturer that operates a facility located at 1995 Williams Parkway in Brampton, Ont. On June 21, 2015, a worker employed by Martinrea at the facility was operating a remote-controlled overhead crane to lift and move a stamping die to another location in the workplace. The die was resting on a large rectangular bolster plate that was enclosed on its long ends by two transfer bars.
As the die was being lifted from the bolster plate, it swung and struck one of the transfer bars, causing the bar to fall from the two support posts upon which it had been resting. As the bar fell, it struck the worker, who had been standing nearby. The worker suffered critical injuries.
The Ministry of Labour investigated the incident and concluded that Martinrea committed the offence of failing, as an employer, to ensure that the measures and procedures prescribed by Ontario’s Industrial Establishments Regulation (Regulation 851) were carried out in a workplace. Specifically, Martinrea failed to ensure that the lifting, carrying and moving of the stamping die was done in such a way and with such precautions and safeguards so as to ensure that the movement of the stamping die did not endanger the safety of any worker. This was also contrary to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
For the safety violation, Justice of the Peace Richard Quon fined the company $75,000 in Brampton court on March 14, 2017.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Labour
