Compass Minerals Canada Corp. has been fined $75,000 following a critical workplace injury at its Goderich salt mine in December 2022.
The company, headquartered in Mississauga, pleaded guilty in Goderich Provincial Offences Court to violating Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
According to a media release from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, maintenance workers and an electrician were repairing a flexible conveyor train that had partially derailed. Power to the equipment remained active to reposition the train.
However, after the repairs, the area was not closed off, and no warning signs were posted. An electrician, unaware that the conveyor could still be activated, stepped onto the rails to inspect limit switches. Another worker, not realizing the electrician was present, began moving the train. Despite audible alarms sounding, the electrician could not move in time and suffered critical injuries.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development found that Compass Minerals failed to ensure proper hazard controls were in place, including signs and barriers required by section 68 of Ontario Regulation 854/90.
In addition to the $75,000 fine, a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge was imposed, which is credited to a provincial fund to assist victims of crime.
