Pallet Manufacturing Company Fined $50,000 After Worker Injured

August 23, 2012

Newmarket, ON - Woodbridge Pallet Ltd., a Woodbridge-based pallet manufacturing and repair company, was fined $50,000 on August 17, 2012, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On July 20, 2010, a Woodbridge Pallet employee was painting pallets in the workplace's paint department. The worker began walking across the floor area to retrieve some paint when a counter-balance forklift carrying a load of pallets struck the worker. The worker suffered leg and arm injuries.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the forklift operator - when moving forward - could not see the other worker because the pallets on the forks obstructed the operator's forward view.
Woodbridge Pallet Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing to move materials in a way that would not endanger any workers.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Linda DeBartolo. 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.

Court Information at a Glance
Location:                     Ontario Court of Justice
                                    465 Davis Dr.
                                    Newmarket, ON
Judge:                         Justice of the Peace Linda DeBartolo                                  
Date of Sentencing:    August 17, 2012
Defendants:                Woodbridge Pallet Ltd.
Matter:                        Occupational Health and Safety
Convictions:               Occupational Health and Safety Act, Section 25(1)(c)
                                   O. Reg. 851/90 Section 45
Crown Counsel:         Mike Nicol