THUNDER BAY — A workplace accident that caused a serious injury to an employee at Resolute Forest Products has resulted in a $120,000 fine against the company.
Resolute pleaded guilty this month in the Ontario Court of Justice to a charge laid by the labour ministry under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25 per cent victim surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act.
The accident happened in July 2021 when workers were moving a replacement transformer to another part of the Resolute mill at 2001 Neebing Avenue.
They used a forklift to push the 22,000 pound transformer.
According to the labour ministry, the workers placed special rollers under each corner of the transformer and used ball peen hammers to adjust its direction instead of the steering apparatus that's intended to be used with the rollers.
In addition, the transformer was not secured to the rollers as recommended in an instruction manual.
When one worker struck a roller with a hammer, the transformer toppled onto its side, resulting in a serious injury.
The labour ministry charged the company for failing to ensure the transformer was moved in a way that did not endanger the safety of any worker.
— TBnewswatch
