A Waterloo manufacturer has been fined $65,000 after a worker suffered injuries when their clothing became entangled in operating machinery.
Valley Blades Limited, which manufactures blades and accessories for construction, mining and snow removal equipment, pleaded guilty in Provincial Offences Court in Kitchener. Justice of the Peace Michael Cuthbertson imposed the fine on January 24, 2025.
The incident occurred on October 5, 2023, at the company’s facility on Phillip Street when a worker was operating a multi-drill machine. According to court documents, the worker reached into the running machine to remove accumulated metal shavings without first stopping the equipment.
The worker’s rubber glove and sleeve became entangled with the metal shavings and were pulled toward the drill, resulting in injury.
Safety regulations violated
The court determined that Valley Blades Limited failed to meet its obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act by not prohibiting workers from wearing loose clothing around machinery with entanglement hazards.
This violation specifically contravened section 83(2) of Ontario Regulation 851/90, which addresses industrial workplace safety requirements regarding loose clothing and rotating machinery.
Crown Counsel Judy Chan prosecuted the case.
Additional penalties
In addition to the $65,000 fine, the court imposed a mandatory 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. This additional amount will be directed to a provincial government fund that provides assistance to victims of crime.
The case highlights the ongoing importance of workplace safety protocols and proper training around machinery operation, particularly regarding personal protective equipment requirements and emergency shutdown procedures.
