Rassaun Steel & Mfg. Co. fined after worker injured

Rassaun Steel & Mfg. Co. Ltd., a Simcoe, Ont.-based mechanical and electrical service provider, was fined $70,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On September 10, 2006, workers from the company were removing equipment at a decommissioned foundry. One piece of equipment was positioned under, and attached to, an overhead duct. As a worker detached the equipment from the duct, the duct broke and fell on another worker who was walking underneath it. The worker suffered a fractured skull, several broken bones and internal injuries.

Rassaun Steel & Mfg. Co. Ltd. was found guilty of failing to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that the overhead duct was adequately supported while the equipment was being removed.

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.