Ontario Court Fined Scrap Metal Recycler for Worker Injury
Metal Recycling News | 2023-06-15 12:31:20
The worker was not properly instructed on the procedure, the court ruling noted.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Montreal, Canada-headquartered scrap metal recycling company American Iron and Metal (AIM) has been fined by an Ontario court over charges of injury for one of its workers at the Hamilton facility. The court has ordered the company to pay $81,250 as fine for the incident.
The incident happened on December 10th, 2021, while the driver was transferring loads of scrap metal to a shredding pile at the scrap metal yard using a 40-foot dump trailer. The load falling from the trailer injured the driver, who was still inside the rear door.
RELATED NEWS:
Gardner Metal Recycling Relocated to New Bigger Facility
Leading Metal Recycler Face Charges After Workplace Death
As per safety procedure practised at worksites, procedure for opening and unloading trailer rear doors is for the driver to stand outside the trailer door and use it to prevent themselves from falling scrap metal when the door is open. The worker was not properly instructed on the procedure, the court ruling noted.
According to the court, the scrap metal company failed to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker on the safe procedure for unloading the trailer, thus violating Section 25(2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA).
The Hamilton Provincial Offenses Court fined the company $65,000. In addition, the company will also have to pay 25% victim fine surcharge, which will be credited to a special provincial government fund to provide assistance to victims of crime.
