Guarding Violation Results in $60,500 Fine

Three fingers on a worker’s left hand were severed when a punch press machine top plate activated and pressed down on his fingers. The company failed to ensure the punch press had safeguards installed to prevent workers from having contact with hazardous points of the machine. It pleaded guilty under Sec. 16.5(1)(b) of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation to a guarding violation and was fined $60,050 [Cadorath Plating Co. Ltd., Govt. News Release, July 18, 2012].