CS Wind Canada Inc pleaded guilty following the accident, which happened during movement of the components of a tower at the company’s facility in Windsor, Ontario.
The worker was bending one of the 'skirts' that, when connected together, form a wind turbine tower about 94.5m high.
During the bending operation, the worker stepped onto the bending machine and inside the rolled skirt to make final measurements prior to welding. The two ends of the skirt which were butted up against each other suddenly moved, trapping part of the worker's body. The worker suffered multiple injuries.
The Ministry of Labour investigation found that the incident took place because the skirt in the bending machine was not blocked to prevent movement. This would have been a reasonable precaution under Section 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health & Safety Act, which requires an employer to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.
In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25% 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.
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