A Manitoba company has been fined $25,000 after a worker was seriously injured after being crushed by tires.
On May 17, 2021, a forklift operator at K-Tech Earthmovers began unloading the tires with the help of another worker. The tires were rolled out manually, tipped onto forklift forks and transferred to a skid for stacking.
The worker was rolling out a tire when a tire from the row behind suddenly fell forward, crushing the worker against the container floor. A forklift was used to remove the tire from on top of the worker.
The worker sustained compression fractures on their back and neck, and briefly lost consciousness.
K-Tec Earthmovers Inc. manufactures heavy-duty, earth-moving scrapers for construction, agriculture and mining sites around the world. K-Tec Earthmovers Inc. is located in Rosenort, in the Rural Municipality of Morris.
Workplace Safety and Health officials conducted an investigation and laid charges under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. On Feb. 22, 2024, K-Tech Earthmovers Inc. pleaded guilty to section 2.1.1(a) of the regulation, namely, failing to develop safe work procedures for the work that is done at the workplace.
A fine of $25,000 was imposed on K-Tech Earthmovers Inc. by the court.