Toronto, Ont. - Saltillo Imports Inc., a Toronto dealer of granite, marble and ceramic tile flooring, was fined $50,000 on November 18, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.

On January 5, 2009, workers were unloading a shipping container containing granite slabs.  The 250-kilogram slabs stood vertically on their edges, held together in groups of 10 by wooden frames.  The workers opened one of the frames and removed a slab with a forklift.  The remaining nine slabs, which were not supported or braced in any way, tipped over and pinned one of the workers to the floor of the shipping container.

Saltillo Imports Inc. pleaded guilty to failing, as an employer, to ensure that the slabs were moved, lifted or carried in such a way, and with such precautions and safeguards in place, that they would not endanger any worker.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Cesar De Morais.  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.

Court Information at a Glance

Location:                    Ontario Court of Justice

                                    60 Queen St. W.

                                    Old City Hall

                                    Toronto, Ont.

Judge:                        

Justice of the Peace Cesar De Morais

Date of Conviction:

November 18, 2009

Defendant:

Saltillo Imports Inc.

Matter:                      

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:

Ontario Regulation 851/90, Section 45(a)

Crown Counsel:

Line Forestier