Welding Company Fined $50,000 after Hook Failure Results in Fatality

A 22-year-old worker for a welding company was using a hand-chain hoist to lift a steel panel when a hook broke and the load fell on him. He died from his injuries. The company pleaded guilty to failing to develop and implement safe work procedures for the use of such hoists and was fined $50,000. Since the incident, the company has implemented written safety procedures and further training for workers that includes chain-hoist training, replaced old chain hoists and been certified under a national OHS program [Cobalt Industries Ltd., Nov. 27, 2014].