Guelph, ON – Vehcom Manufacturing Ltd., a Guelph auto parts manufacturer, was fined $75,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.
On June 11, 2010, a young worker at Vehcom’s industrial facility located at 74 Campbell Road in Guelph, worked on a production line. Known as the “ATX” line, this production line consisted of four machining centres and a fenced-off “robot cell” containing a large robotic arm. A jam occurred in the “robot cell” and the worker entered in order to access the machining centre and clear it. Upon clearing the jam a steel rod activated, causing injuries to the worker’s hand.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the machine was not shut down or locked out when the worker entered to clear the jam.
Vehcom Manufacturing Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the machine was equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevented access to a pinch point.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace A. James Child. 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.