Company fined $70,000 after local workers injured

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO MINISTRY
OF LABOUR

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Algoma Tubes Inc. fined $70,000 after workers injured

SAULT STE. MARIE - Algoma Tubes Inc., a manufacturer of steel pipe products based in Whitehorse, Yukon, has been fined $70,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after two workers were injured.

On July 15, 2011, two workers employed as electrical maintenance technicians by Algoma Tubes at the facility located at 547 Wallace Terrace in Sault Ste. Marie were decommissioning an out-of-service motor control centre (a large electrical panel).

A de-energized control cable that one of the workers was removing came into contact with a 480-volt energized panel.

The resulting arc flash caused one of the workers to sustain burns to one hand and the other worker to suffer burns to the hand, forearm and face.

The Ministry of Labour investigated the incident and found that Algoma Tubes failed as an employer to ensure that the workers used rubber gloves, mats, shields or other protective equipment and procedures adequate to ensure protection from electrical shock and burns while performing the work.

This was contrary to section 42.1(2) of Ontario Regulation 851, R.R.O. 1990, as amended, and to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O.1, as amended.

The company pleaded guilty and was fined $70,000.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Jill Morris.

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.

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