News Flash

Worker, Companies Face Criminal & Other Charges in Driver's Death September 21, 2011 A fully loaded dump truck ran a red light and collided with a car, killing the 25-year-old driver. The police investigation revealed that there was a mechanical defect with the dump truck. The worker driving the truck was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and criminal negligence causing death under the Criminal Law and with five Highway Traffic Act (HTA) charges, including operating an unsafe commercial motor vehicle and failing to accurately complete a daily inspection report. The two companies were charged with HTA violations.

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Gold Mine Hit with $50,000 Fine for Training Violation September 21, 2011 An MOL Inspector reviewed a gold mine's training records and determined that one of the workers wasn't registered as fully trained in all of the required training programs for work in a hard rock underground mine. The mine pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that a worker was trained as required and was fined $50,000.

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Salt Mine Fined $140,000 for Worker's Death by Asphyxiation September 21, 2011 A salt mine property contained large domes of salt with open grates in the floors to allow the salt to flow down onto conveyors leading to the loading area. A worker was using an excavator to move salt within a dome when the excavator broke down and a maintenance person was called for repairs. While waiting, the worker began clearing salt from the machine. The conveyor started moving and salt began falling through the gate in the floor. He was pulled through the grate with the moving salt and asphyxiated. The salt mine pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the grate in the bottom of the dome was guarded. The court fined it $140,000.

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Man injured in Kanata September 01, 2011 The Ontario Ministry of Labour is conducting an investigation as a result of an injury to an employee at Union Auto Parts Shop in Kanata. The worker was operating a backhoe when it rolled down a hill and crashed into some trees. The employee’s leg was trapped in the vehicle and fire crews were required to use a hoist and rescue jacks to remove him before he could be transported to the hospital for treatment.

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Beryllium Spill September 01, 2011 “We will be conducting an investigation to determine what happened — whether the proper precautions were taken to protect the health and safety of the workers.” - Matt Blajer, Ontario Ministry of Labour spokesperson. A recent beryllium spill at an industrial research lab is sparking an investigation by the Ontario Ministry of Labour. The element can cause symptoms similar to pneumonia for those who are exposed to it. If an individual is allergic, there is a risk of an irreversible scarring of the lungs known as chronic beryllium disease which can sometimes be fatal. The main concern here is the fact that the company did not contact the Ministry of Environment or the Ministry of Labour as they didn’t think it was necessary to report.

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Male Worker Fell One Storey July 01, 2011 A male worker was in hospital after falling one storey while working on a restoration project on Dalhousie Street. Emergency officials were called just before 11:00 am after a beam gave way, causing bricks on the building to come loose. The worker, who is believed to be in his late 40s, fell one storey and was partially buried by the debris. Paramedics say he managed to uncover himself and got to his co-workers to call emergency. The man injured his pelvis and suffered minor cuts and bruises.

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Substance-Abusing Workers Are Walking Hazards June 15, 2011 An addiction prevention specialist says workers who are addicted to alcohol or drugs, but who aren't confronted by their supervisors, can negatively affect much more than safety. "The troubled employee really dominates the environment and affects morale," says Ron Beach of Alberta Health Services. Beach, who spoke at the recent Alberta Health and Safety Conference and Trade Fair in Edmonton, says supervisors are often reluctant to deal with a worker who has a substance abuse problem, but if nothing is done, the situation nearly always worsens. Untreated substance abuse leads to: - Unsafe work practices, accidents and increased risk of injury - Depression, stress, poor morale and other emotional problems - Increased absenteeism, higher workers' compensation and insurance costs, and - Alcohol and drug-related illness By the time evidence of substance abuse becomes apparent in a worker, the problem is quite advanced, according to Beach, who adds that workers who are sleep deprived or hung over are distracted, putting themselves and their co-workers at increased risk for injury and death. "If they are not equipped to do their job, are distracted or are in some way a hazard, is what they do on their own time our business? he asked, adding that if what workers do outside working hours is negatively affecting the workplace, the answer is a definite "yes". Beach says many workplaces fall short in not training supervisors to spot signs of substance abuse and also in not educating employees about the issue. "You don't need to be an expert on alcohol and drugs. The most important thing (to focus on) is: 'Is this person fit for work?'. You need to treat substance abuse the same way you would treat any other hazard." Signs that workers may be abusing alcohol or other drugs include: - A decline in hygiene/personal appearance - Falling asleep on the job - Chronic irritability/unpredictability - More frequent absences - A slip in work quality - Decreased productivity - Lateness - Difficulty with concentration - Making more mistakes and showing poor judgement Beach says a supervisor who notices a substance abuse problem, and wants to confront it, needs to get the point across to the worker that: "We are not doing this to you. We're doing it for you.” "Don't tell them what not to do. You need to tell them what to do. You don't get a lot of buy-in by scolding people." To address substance abuse problems, supervisors must ensure that they have a solid alcohol and drug policy in place, including steps for supporting workers who need help. This article was extracted from the April 2011 issue of Safe Supervisor - www.safesupervisor.com.

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Young Worker Safety Blitz June 02, 2011 In recognition of the importance of keeping new and young workers safe in the workplace, Ontario is launching a four-month safety blitz to help protect new and young workers. This latest safety blitz by the Ministry of Labour began May 1st, 2011 and will carry through to the end of August. Inspectors across Ontario will be focusing on ensuring that employers are complying with all regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and that young workers are: •Instructed, trained and supervised on jobs; •Using proper safety measures, equipment and procedures to prevent injuries; •Meeting age requirements for the work they are doing. Inspectors will be conducting visits to workplaces where numerous new and young workers are employed. Focus will include workplaces in the following industries: restaurants, landscaping sites, arenas, mills, nursing homes, low-rise construction projects and farming operations.

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Blitz results: Conveyor Guarding and Lockout Hazards in Industrial Workplaces by the Ministry of Labour April 04, 2011 Guarding and lockout hazards involving conveyor systems are a potential problem at any industrial workplace in Ontario that uses this equipment. From November 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, Ministry of Labour (MOL) inspectors conducted a blitz to enforce compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The focus was on hazards involving conveyor systems in industrial sectors where conveyors are used. The goal was to check for compliance with requirements that conveyors have proper guarding devices and are being locked out when needed. Inspectors also checked that conveyor workers are protected from developing musculoskeletal disorders such as repetitive strain injuries. Conveyor-related injuries occur less often than other types of injuries in industrial workplaces. However, the injuries that do occur tend to be more severe. Between 2005 and 2008, two workers died and 48 workers were seriously injured in conveyor incidents. In November and December, 2010, MOL inspectors conducted 1,097 field visits to 833 workplaces and issued 3,092 orders under the OHSA, including 111 stop work orders. More than 30 per cent of the orders involved guarding violations under the Regulations for Industrial Establishments. Almost 20 per cent of the orders involved employer duty violations under the OHSA. For more information, and to read the full report and results, please visit: Ministry of Labour - Blitz Results

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Advisory on Use of Adaptors to Refill Cylinders April 04, 2011 Refilling single trip cylinders is prohibited by Ontario laws as this practice contravenes specific code requirements and may result in propane releases that have a potential to cause serious fires, explosions and burn hazards to end users. These adaptors are not approved and are designed to transfer propane from a BBQ-type cylinder to a non-refillable cylinder. The adaptors are being offered to the public via online retailers and are further promoted on YouTube (demonstrating a very dangerous practice). Copy of the Advisory as follows:

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AGF Raymond Rebar Inc. Fined $110,000 After Worker injured March 30, 2011 Ottawa, ON - AGF Raymond Rebar Inc., an Ottawa construction company, was fined $110,000 yesterday for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured. On July 23, 2008, workers were at a tower construction project on Kent St. in Ottawa. They were preparing to hoist two structures made of reinforcing bar, or rebar, with a crane. The rebar structures were sitting one on top of the other. The workers attached the bottom rebar structure to the crane but did not secure the top structure. As the crane lifted both structures, the load shifted and the unsecured structure fell on a worker. The worker suffered multiple fractures and damage to internal organs. AGF Raymond Rebar Inc. was found guilty of failing to ensure that the crane's rigging was arranged to prevent the top rebar structure from slipping or falling. The company was fined $80,000 for this offense. AGF Raymond Rebar Inc. was also found guilty of failing to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker on preventing a hoisted object from slipping or falling. The company was fined $30,000 for this offense. The fines were imposed by Justice of the Peace John A. Balkwill. 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.

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Aecon Construction Group Inc. Fined $225,000 After Explosion March 09, 2011 Owen Sound, ON - Aecon Construction Group Inc., was fined $225,000 on March 7, 2011, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after an explosion that killed a homeowner.

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Retail Company Fined $60,000 After Worker Injured March 09, 2011 Kitchener, ON - Paul S. Pollock Enterprises Ltd., carrying on business as Canadian Tire Store #420, was fined $60,000 on March 7, 2011, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that caused a worker to be injured.

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Metro Ontario Inc. Fined $350,000 After Young Worker Killed March 09, 2011 Brampton, ON - Metro Ontario Inc., a retail grocer, was fined $350,000 yesterday for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that caused a young worker's death.

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McGuinty Government Implementing Recommendations of Expert Safety Panel March 03, 2011 Ontario is taking action to improve the province's safety system and increase protection for workers.

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Constructor and Supervisor Fined $67,000 Total After Inspection March 03, 2011 North Bay, ON - Vrancor Development Corporation, a Burlington construction company, was fined $65,000 for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a routine inspection. Sean Kehoe, a supervisor with the company, was fined $2,000 in relation to the same inspection.

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3M Canada Company Fined $55,000 After Worker Injured March 03, 2011 Ottawa, ON - 3M Canada Company was fined $55,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

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