A Brampton, Ont., metal heat-treating company has been fined $144,000 after two employees were seriously injured in a flash fire during a furnace restart.
The incident happened on Jan. 5, 2023, at Metex Heat Treating’s workplace on Westwyn Court in Brampton, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Two workers were re-starting a furnace that had been shut down for several weeks when the explosion occurred.
The furnace used a mix of hydrogen and a petroleum-based oil quench tank, both of which posed flammable risks. The procedure required purging the furnace with nitrogen before igniting the pilot light. One worker completed the purge but delayed ignition, allowing vapours to build up. When the pilot light was lit, a flash fire erupted, injuring both workers.
Protective clothing not provided
The ministry said one of the injured workers had flame-resistant coveralls. The other was wearing clothing not suitable for protection against flash fires because the company had not provided protective gear.
Investigators determined Metex failed, as an employer, to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker, as required under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Court ruling
Metex pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. On July 24, 2025, the court imposed a $144,000 fine, along with a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, which goes into a provincial fund to support victims of crime. Justice of the Peace Dan D’Ignazio issued the sentence, with Crown counsel Wes Wilson representing the prosecution.
