Guarding Violation Costs Manufacturer $50,000

Paper threaded onto drying drums came apart. It had to be removed from the drums before the process could continue. One worker saw some paper near a pulley, which was on the other side of a guard. He removed the guard and reached for the paper. As he did so, a telescoping fiberglass pole that was part of his equipment got caught in the pulley and struck him, causing lacerations to the throat and armpit. The manufacturer pleaded guilty to a guarding violation. The court fined it $50,000 [Strathcona Paper GP Inc., Govt. News Release, Dec. 17, 2013].