Wolf Steel Ltd. has been fined $50,000 after pleading guilty to workplace safety violations that led to a worker’s critical injury at its Barrie manufacturing facility.
The incident occurred on Oct. 24, 2022, when a worker was moving pieces of wood on a four-wheeled wooden cart at the company’s Napoleon Road location. The cart and its contents toppled, causing critical injuries to the worker.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development determined that Wolf Steel failed to take necessary precautions to ensure the safe movement of materials in the workplace.
“The employer did not take the precautions or safeguards needed to ensure the lifting, carrying or moving of the material did not endanger the worker,” ministry officials said.
Homemade equipment used for 15 years
The investigation revealed that the cart involved in the accident was manufactured by the company itself and had been used at the facility for more than 15 years. Wolf Steel manufactures fireplaces, grills and gas furnaces at the Barrie location.
Justice of the Peace Catherine M. Shoniker imposed the fine on Feb. 26, 2025, in Provincial Offences Court in Barrie, following the company’s guilty plea. Crown Counsel Alicia Gordon-Fagan prosecuted the case.
The court also imposed a mandatory 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. This additional amount is credited to a special provincial government fund that assists crime victims.
Safety regulations violated
The conviction stems from Wolf Steel’s failure to comply with section 45(a) of Ontario Regulation 851/90, which falls under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
This section requires employers to ensure that materials, articles or things are lifted, carried or moved in a way that does not endanger workers’ safety.
Following the incident, Wolf Steel replaced all wooden carts at the facility with manufactured carts that have identified specifications and load capacities.
