St. Catharines, Ont. - Peninsula Alloy Inc., a Stevensville foundry that manufactures metal castings, was fined $70,000 on June 19, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), after a worker was seriously injured.

On March 26, 2008, a furnace operator was putting scrap metal into a furnace to melt when the furnace exploded and splashed the worker with molten metal.  The worker suffered second and third degree burns on the head, back and arm.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the worker was wearing a face shield, gloves, and work boots, but not a Kevlar fire resistant suit and spats.

Peninsula Alloy Inc. pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing, as an employer, to ensure the worker was wearing apparel sufficient to protect against injury or was guarded by a shield, screen or similar barrier appropriate in the circumstances.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Donna Cowan.  In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge on the total, as required by the Provincial Offences Act.  The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Court Information at a Glance

Location:                      Ontario Court of Justice

                                      59 Church St.

                                      St. Catharines, ON

Judge:                         

Justice of the Peace Donna Cowan

Date of Conviction:

June 19, 2009

Defendants:

Peninsula Alloy Inc.

Matter:                       

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction(s):

Ontario Regulation 851, Section 84

Crown Counsel:

Brian Blumenthal