Barrie, ON – The Corporation of the Township of Essa was fined $50,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.
On January 4, 2012, a worker entered a building owned by the township located at 8531 County Road 10, in Angus. The building was not heated. The worker was tasked with changing the attachment on a municipal tractor machine called a Trackless, which would then be used to clear snow. On the rear of the Trackless was a sand spreader attachment with a large top opening. After changing the front attachment the worker started the Trackless and walked around it, checking that it was ready for use. The worker slipped on ice and one arm went in to the sand spreader, where it was caught by rotating augers and trapped, causing injuries.
The Corporation of the Township of Essa pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the sand spreader was equipped with a guard to prevent access to the rotating augurs.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Dennis D. White. 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.