Barrie, Ont. - ODC Manufacturing Limited, a Barrie producer of die-cast parts, pleaded guilty and was fined $55,000 on January 5, 2010, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was injured.

On June 29, 2007, a worker was operating die-casting machines.  One of the machines stopped. The worker put it in manual mode to examine it.  The worker opened a guard door and reached into the machine to reposition one of its components.  The machine closed on the worker's hand. The worker suffered severe hand injuries.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that when this type of machine is functioning properly, it stops moving when a worker opens the guard door.  At the time of the incident, the company knew that the machine was malfunctioning.  Two and a half months before the incident, a supervisor warned the worker that the machine could keep moving with the guard door open. However, on June 29, the worker believed the machine was operating properly because no one had told the worker about the continuing hazard.

ODC Manufacturing Limited pleaded guilty to failing to inform the worker about the continuing hazard of malfunction of the machine.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Moreland Lynn.  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

                                    56 Mulcaster Street

                                    Barrie, Ont.

Judge:                         Justice of the Peace Moreland Lynn

Date of Conviction:     January 5, 2009

Defendant:                  ODC Manufacturing Limited

Matter:                        Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction:                 OHSA, Section 25(2)(d)

Crown Counsel:          Kate Ballweg and Catherine Glaister