EPR Services Inc., a Mississauga, Ontario-based recycler of old computer parts, was fined $70,000 earlier this month for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in a serious hand injury to a worker.
An investigation found there was no guarding device on the air lock at the time of the accident even though the equipment had been purchased with a manufacturer's finger guard.
Following a trial, EPR Services Inc. was convicted of the offense of failing, as an employer, to ensure that the dust collector - which had an exposed moving part that could endanger the worker's safety - was equipped with, and guarded by, a guard or other device that prevented access to the moving rotary air lock. This was contrary to Section 25(1)(c) of the act.