$60,000 Fine Imposed after Worker Suffers Burns

A worker cleaning an extruder machine disconnected the delivery and return hoses but didn’t open the pressure relief valve. So when he removed the pipe from the cooling unit, hot water and steam burst out onto him, causing first and second degree burns. His employer pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the internal pressure of the pipe was adjusted to atmospheric pressure before the pipe was removed. The court fined it $60,000 [Prysmian Power Cables and Systems Canada Ltd., Govt. News Release, June 17, 2014].