The Leamington-based produce producer will be paying $70,000
Amco Farms Inc., a produce producer based in Leamington, has been fined $70,000 following a workplace accident that resulted to the injury of an employee.
The firm was found to have violated the Occupational Health and Safety Act as it failed to ensure that the platform and lifting mechanism that had collapsed onto the worker was securely and solidly blocked so that the equipment may not fall or move.
The accident occurred on April 25, 2022, when two workers were replaying the hydraulic cylinders on a scissor lift as it was leaking, which required re-sealing. While one of them elevated the lift’s platform and positioned the forks of a forklift under the platform to let the other worker go under and reach the cylinders. However, the rollers supporting one end of the platform suddenly released from their guard rail. This made the platform and lifting mechanism to collapse, subsequently injuring the employee.
Justice of the Peace Angela Renaud fined the firm a total of $70,000 after its guilty plea in the Provincial Offences Court in Windsor. Judy Chan served as the crown counsel.
A 25% victim fine surcharged was given to the firm and will be credited to a special provincial government fund, which will assist victims of crime.
