On September 24, 2009, a worker at 3M's manufacturing facility in Perth, Ont., was operating a production line. The worker was notified of a defect in the product coming out of the line, and attempted to wipe a blade in the line to fix the problem. The blade was attached to a pair of rollers that guided the product through the line. The worker's hand was drawn into the machine by these rollers, and the worker suffered a hand injury as a result.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the blade and rollers were not guarded. 3M Canada Company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the machine was guarded to prevent access to the pinch point.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Raymond J. Switzer. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25 percent 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.

www.labour.gov.on.ca