Company specifically failed to ensure that control measures or methods were in place, investigators find
Stobag North America Corporation has been fined $50,000 after a worker was critically injured in a fall from an elevated work platform that was struck by a moving toolbar at the company’s Burlington manufacturing facility.
The penalty was imposed on Nov. 26, 2025, in Burlington/Halton Region Provincial Offences Court following a guilty plea to a charge under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
Incident on powder coating line
The incident occurred on April 10, 2023, at Stobag’s facility on Norjohn Court in Burlington, where the company manufactures sun shading systems, including awnings, canopies and blinds.
On the day of the incident, a worker was investigating a recurring problem with an electrical limit switch on the facility’s Powder Coating Line (PCL) drying oven. The PCL is used to clean, dry and powder coat aluminium parts used in the manufacture of awnings. These parts are transported on toolbars by an overhead conveyor system.
While the worker was ascending on a powered lift to access the top of the drying oven, the lift was struck by a seven‑metre toolbar moving along the overhead conveyor. The impact caused the lift to tilt, and the worker – who was not wearing a fall arrest harness – fell approximately 14 feet and sustained critical injuries.
Ministry findings and OHSA violation
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development investigated the incident.
The ministry determined that Stobag North America Corporation failed to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker, contrary to section 25(2)(h) of the OHSA.
Investigators concluded the company specifically failed to ensure that control measures or methods were in place to prevent material in motion, such as the moving toolbar, from striking the elevated lift.
Section 25(2)(h) is a general duty clause that requires employers to anticipate and control foreseeable hazards, including interactions between moving equipment and workers at height.
Court decision and financial penalties
Stobag North America Corporation pleaded guilty to one count under the OHSA arising from the April 2023 incident.
Justice of the Peace Helena Cassano imposed a fine of $50,000. Crown counsel for the case was Shantanu Shankar Roy.
In addition to the fine, the court applied a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund established to assist victims of crime.
