A Sarnia recycling facility has been fined following a fatal workplace incident in 2022.
Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development says ReVital Polymers on Lougar Avenue pleaded guilty to a workplace incident in Sarnia Court on May 21, 2024.
The ministry said a worker was injured while replacing a faulty hydraulic hose on a forklift on June 24, 2022.
"A worker and a heavy equipment mechanic were in the company’s forklift shop preparing a C34 forklift to have its faulty hydraulic hose replaced," the background included in the court bulletin read.
"They used a second N4 forklift to lift the bucket on the C34 forklift and allow the mechanic to access the hydraulic hose. The workers also attached a chain to the top cross pieces of the inner and outer mast sections of the C34 forklift to prevent its inner sections from moving, and they placed a metal stand underneath the bucket of the C34 forklift."
The ministry said the worker proceeded to leave the shop, leaving the mechanic to work alone.
"Upon hearing a noise from the forklift shop, the same worker returned to check on the mechanic and found the mechanic caught between the mast and cab of the forklift. The mast had fallen towards the cab frame while the mechanic was positioned there, causing fatal injuries."
The worker succumbed to their injuries four days later.
The ministry said their investigation found ReVital Polymers "failed, as an employer, to ensure the forklift was not left unattended, contrary to section 58 of the Regulation for Industrial Establishments and a violation of section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act."
Judge Deborah Austin fined ReVital Polymers $60,000.
A 25 per cent surcharge was also imposed under the Provincial Offences Act to assist victims of crime.
