Cambridge steel manufacturer fined $115K
A Cambridge steel manufacturer has been fined $115,000 in the wake of an accident in 2018 that injured two workers.
Gerdau Ameristeel Incorporation pled guilty to failing to ensure that overhead protection was provided to workers where there may be risks of falling material. The violation is an offence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Gerdau will also pay a victim surcharge of 25 percent.
The company operates a plant in Whitby where it recycles, melts and produces steel. On November 12, 2018, a fire occurred in the back of a furnace in the Whitby plant. The fire was immediately extinguished but a hydraulic hose was damaged and required replacement. Two workers were assigned to perform the repair work.
The workers began the repair and were working directly underneath the outer edge of the furnace roof/lid which had been swung out to expose the burnt hydraulic hose for repair.
As the workers were removing the hydraulic hose, a large piece of waste material known in the industry as "slag" became dislodged and fell about 15 feet, striking both workers. It was estimated that the slag weighed approximately 80 pounds.
Emergency services were contacted and the two workers were transported to Oshawa Lakeridge Hospital. The workers suffered extensive and critical injuries from the strike.
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development investigated and determined that there was no overhead protection provided by Gerdau to protect the workers from the hazards of falling material.