Company fined $175,000 after worker injured by pinch point of a machine

Canadian General – Tower Limited has been fined $175,000 after a worker became caught in the pinch point of a machine and was critically injured.

The company, which produces polymeric-coated textile fabrics and vinyl films for automotive and industrial applications, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the worker was protected from the pinch point, as required by section 25 of Ontario Regulation 851/90, contrary to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

On Dec. 1, 2022, workers at an emboss station, where layers of material are combined and embossed onto rolls, noticed a defect mark on the finished product and were trying to determine where the mark was coming from.

A worker entered the emboss station while the machine was running to examine the roller surfaces. While inside, the worker’s gloved hand was caught between two counter-rotating rollers. These created a pinch point that critically injured the worker.

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.