Royal Group, Inc. Fined $50,000 After Worker Injured

 

Is a wet floor really that bad?  Yes, when people can be hurt!

Doesn't the employee have a duty under the IRS?

Who is ultimately responsible?

October 30, 2012

Newmarket, ON - Royal Group, Inc., carrying on business as Royal Pipe Co., a Toronto pipe manufacturer, was fined $50,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On July 2, 2011, a worker at the company's Woodbridge manufacturing facility was setting up one of the production lines. The worker slipped on a wet surface and fell onto a machine. The worker's arm was trapped and injured between the frame of the machine and one of its moving parts.

Royal Group, Inc., carrying on business as Royal Pipe Co., pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the work surface was kept free of slip and fall hazards.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace John MacDonald. 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 John MacDonald

Date of Sentencing:    October 26, 2012

Defendants:                 Royal Group, Inc. carrying on business as Royal Pipe Co.
Matter:                        Occupational Health and Safety

Convictions:                Ontario Regulatio 851, Section 11(a)(ii)

Crown Counsel:          Shantanu Roy

Ontario Enhancing Enforcement to Protect Workers

Ministry of Labour Increases Proactive Employment Standards Inspections

• Issued: September 17, 2012

NEWS

Ontario will help ensure fairness in the workplace by enhancing the enforcement of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), including the hiring of additional officers and staff.

The enhanced enforcement will include more proactive inspections. These inspections encourage workplace parties to comply with the ESA before serious violations arise and complaints are filed. Complaints can be costly and time-consuming for businesses. An initial $3 million, two-year investment will allow for 18 additional Employment Standards Officers and staff.

The inspections are also aimed at educating employers and employees about their rights and responsibilities under the ESA, which sets minimum standards for entitlements such as wages, hours of work and public holidays.

The ministry is committed to protecting vulnerable workers, meeting the needs of a changing workforce and helping employers understand their responsibilities. Protecting workers is part of the McGuinty government’s continued commitment to ensuring a strong economy and that all Ontarians are treated fairly.

QUICK FACTS

• Since 2004, the ministry’s Employment Standards Program has recovered more than $90 million in wages and other monies owed to employees through inspections, claims and collections.
• The Employment Standards Information Centre (1-800-531-5551) provides service in 23 languages – from Arabic to Vietnamese.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about Ontario’s employment standards, along with resources, tools and calculators for employees and employers.

Bill Killorn, Minister’s Office, 416-326-7708
Matt Blajer, Communications Branch, 416-326-7405

ontario.ca/labour-news
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Canada Day - when is YOUR Holiday?

HRNC FYI:
In Ontario, employees get a day off with public holiday pay. If the employee is required to work on the holiday, the employee must be paid regular wages and/or premium pay and/or get a substituted day off with pay at a later date.

This year, July 1 falls on a Sunday; thus the public holiday will be celebrated on Monday July 2.

Other provinces may have different guidelines.  If you are dealing with employees in other locations check to be sure.