Scrap metal company fined $65,000 after Hamilton worker injured
Published June 12, 2023 at 10:06 pm
A Quebec based company is paying a hefty sum to its worker after being convicted for a safety violation in Hamilton.
The incident occurred two years ago on 10 December 2021, at the American Iron and Metal Company Inc.’s scrap metal yard, located at 75 Steel City Court.
A worker was injured while unloading a 40-foot-dump trailer, when a part of the load inside it unexpectedly fell on the worker, who was trying to open its doors.
The company was found guilty on May 18, 2023, in the Provincial Offences Court, and were fined $65,000 for negligence.
Investigation revealed that the company’s procedure required the driver to stand outside the trailer door, using it as a shield from potential falling scrap metal when opening the door. However, at the time of the incident, the necessary instruction, and supervision regarding this procedure had not been provided to the worker.
In addition to the fine, the court also imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge to the company, as mandated by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge will be credited to a special provincial government fund dedicated to assisting victims of crime.
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“American Iron & Metal Company Inc. violated Section 25(2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act by failing to provide the worker with the necessary information, instruction, and supervision for safely unloading the dump trailer,” according to Ontario’s Court Bulletin.
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