Lecours Lumber of Calstock, Ontario, fined C$50,000 for failing to ensure debarker was equipped with a guard after worker became caught in pinch point

Wendy Lisney

HEARST, Ontario , November 26, 2010 (press release) – Lecours Lumber Co. Limited, owner and operator of a sawmill in Calstock, was fined $50,000 on November 23, 2010, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that caused an injury to a worker.

On June 24, 2009, a worker was cleaning debris from a debarker, a machine that removes bark from logs. The debarker suddenly restarted and the worker was caught in a pinch point of the machine. The worker's shoulder was injured.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the debarker did not have a guard to protect the worker from accessing the pinch point.

Lecours Lumber Co. Limited pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the debarker was equipped with, and guarded by, a guard or other device to prevent access to the pinch point.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Jean-Marie Blier. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Court Information at a Glance

Location: Ontario Court of Justice

1131 Front St.

Hearst, ON

Judge: Justice of the Peace Jean-Marie Blier

Date of Conviction: November 23, 2010

Defendants: Lecours Lumber Co. Limited

Matter: Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction: Ontario Regulation 851, Section 25

Crown Counsel: Shantanu Roy

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