Toronto paper manufacturer fined $70,00 after workers suffers severe hand injury

Metro Paper Industries Inc., a Toronto-based manufacturer of recycled paper products, has been fined $70,000 after a worker was severely injured by the blades of a machine.

On Nov. 28, 2011, a worker approached a machine at the company’s Scarborough location. The machine, which folds and cuts paper into napkins, had a clear plastic guard; the worker placed a hand under the guard to reach inside the machine. These actions were contrary to the training provided by the company and contrary to a sign posted on the machine.

After placing an arm inside the machine, the worker inadvertently moved forward, which resulted in the hand coming into contact with the blades affixed to the machine’s outfeed rollers. As a result of the contact, fingers were severed.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the employer failed to ensure that a machine was guarded as prescribed by law. Metro Paper Industries Inc. pleaded guilty to failing, as an employer, to comply with the regulation for industrial establishments.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Vladimir Bubrin. 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.