Mechanical Contractor Fined in Worker’s Death
A worker was standing on a ladder, guiding a 181-kilogram (400-pound) pipe that was being hoisted into an overhead rack when the hoist’s anchor snapped. The pipe slammed into the worker’s head and chest, causing fatal injuries.
An investigation by the Ontario Ministry of Labour found that the anchor system hadn’t been installed properly. S & R Mechanical of Cumberland, ON, was fined $125,000, plus a $31,250 victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice to a charge of failing to ensure that a hoist was arranged to prevent the pipe from slipping or falling.
Read MoreOSHA Issues Contempt Orders to St. Louis Companies and Owners
Alleged failure to comply with court orders enforcing citations of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) has result in contempt of court orders and penalties being levied.
OSHA says the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued the contempt order against Brian Andre, former owner of Andre Tuckpointing and Brickwork (AT&B), Andre Stone and Mason Work Inc. (AS&MW) and Regina Shaw, AS&MW’s owner.
The cases stem from numerous citations issued to AT&B and its successor, AS&MW, for willful, repeat and serious violations relating to fall hazards, scaffolding erection hazards, power tool guarding issues and other hazards.
When the companies failed to comply with the court’s order enforcing OSHRC’s final order, the secretary of labor filed petitions for contempt charges. Brian Andre, AS&MW and Regina Shaw must pay $258,582.08. Further, AS&MW and Regina Shaw must pay a $100 daily penalty, calculated from the early 2008 time of default on the OSHRC final order.
In addition, AS&MW must provide OSHA with weekly notification of all current jobs and known future jobs at least 72 hours before commencing work for the next three years. And AS&MW must provide “competent person” training to all people currently and subsequently designated as jobsite “competent persons” prior to beginning any work, and provide the secretary of labor with records of such training.
“Companies that expose employees to hazards and then blatantly ignore citations requiring correction of those hazards, will not be overlooked,” says Charles Adkins, OSHA regional administrator in Kansas City, MO.
Read MoreWinnipeg Regional Health Authority Fined $78,050
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has been fined $78,050 for failing to provide a washer-extractor with an optional metal hopper attachment that would have prevented a worker from coming into contact with moving parts of the machine.
A worker suffered lacerations to his left ear, head, scalp and left arm when he became trapped between an industrial washing machine and a laundry hopper.
The 62-year-old employee had been attempting to remove some mops from a washing machine when the dryer hopper shifted, pinning him.
Court heard the health authority has implemented new safety and training measures since the April 2008 incident occurred.
Info to go: Read more about machine guarding at by clicking on the Info to Go safety links at www.SafeSupervisor.com
Read MoreCompany Charged With Nuclear Safety Infractions
Rare charges have been leveled against a company under Canada’s Nuclear Safety and Control Act, according to a Calgary Herald story.
Mistras Canada Inc. of Olds, AB, operating as Nomad Inspection Services Ltd., has been issued six charges relating to improper handling, storage and transporting of a nuclear substance in November and December 2008.
The charges allege:
- Failure to take all reasonable precautions to protect the environment and the health and safety of persons and to maintain the security of nuclear facilities and nuclear devices,
- Authorizing a person to operate an exposure device that did not appear to be functioning normally,
- Transporting radioactive material that was not contained in a Type B package of a certified design (two counts),
- Failure to provide proper documents for the transport of nuclear materials, and
- Failure to train workers to carry on licensed activity in accordance with the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission alleges that two truck drivers were exposed to radiation above acceptable limits while transporting a pipeline imaging camera on a portion of the trip from northern Alberta to Ontario.
A commission report states that Nomad Inspection Services shipped the camera even though a lock on the device could not be closed. The lock must be secured before a camera is transported.
A radiation monitor alarm was triggered when the camera was delivered to a health science company in Kanata, ON. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission says it is unlikely the drivers suffered any health effects from the radiation exposure, estimated at 1.36 millisieverts.
Read MoreCompany Charged With Nuclear Safety Infractions
Rare charges have been leveled against a company under Canada’s Nuclear Safety and Control Act, according to a Calgary Herald story.
Mistras Canada Inc. of Olds, AB, operating as Nomad Inspection Services Ltd., has been issued six charges relating to improper handling, storage and transporting of a nuclear substance in November and December 2008.
The charges allege:
- Failure to take all reasonable precautions to protect the environment and the health and safety of persons and to maintain the security of nuclear facilities and nuclear devices,
- Authorizing a person to operate an exposure device that did not appear to be functioning normally,
- Transporting radioactive material that was not contained in a Type B package of a certified design (two counts),
- Failure to provide proper documents for the transport of nuclear materials, and
- Failure to train workers to carry on licensed activity in accordance with the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission alleges that two truck drivers were exposed to radiation above acceptable limits while transporting a pipeline imaging camera on a portion of the trip from northern Alberta to Ontario.
A commission report states that Nomad Inspection Services shipped the camera even though a lock on the device could not be closed. The lock must be secured before a camera is transported.
A radiation monitor alarm was triggered when the camera was delivered to a health science company in Kanata, ON. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission says it is unlikely the drivers suffered any health effects from the radiation exposure, estimated at 1.36 millisieverts.
The average person in Canada is exposed to three millisieverts of radiation per year.
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