Company Fined $80,000 after Worker Is Injured in Bin Collapse

A worker at an industrial facility was pushing an empty plastic storage bin along an aisle to clear a path for another vehicle. The side of the bin collapsed, causing the worker to fall forward into the bin. A co-worker found him with his arms immobile and unable to sit up. Emergency personnel transported the worker to the hospital, where he underwent extensive surgery. The MOL investigation found that the side of the bin that the worker was pushing had latches, which could be used to collapse the bins for shipping. But the worker wasn’t aware of the hazard of the bin potentially collapsing and that it was common for workers to push bins in this manner. The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that material, articles or things are moved in a manner that doesn’t endanger a worker’s safety and was fined $80,000 [Faurecia Automotive Seating Canada Ltd., Govt. News Release, Sept. 22, 2015].