May 28, 2009

United Hoist Equipment fined after worker critically injured

TORONTO

United Hoist Equipment Ltd., a Bolton company that sells, services and rents personnel hoists, was fined $65,000 on May 14 for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), and pleaded guilty after a worker was critically injured.

On Dec. 7, 2007, a 31.1 metre (102 foot) high hoist on the south exterior side of a seven storey building at 12 Burkebrook Place in Toronto was being dismantled by workers for United Hoist Equipment Ltd. Workers had removed a number of sections of the hoist with a crane and had lowered the hoist cage to the fourth level of the building. A worker on top of the cage to remove tie-ins which secured the hoist to the building removed the last tie-in and the hoist toppled, throwing the worker approximately 9.15 metres (30 feet) to the ground. The worker suffered serious injury, including internal injuries and injuries to the spine, pelvis, head and face.

An investigation found that the base of the hoist had been improperly installed, including inadequate spacing of anchor bolts, unsuitable bolts, and the installation of a replacement part for the foundation frame that did not have the same safety factor.

DCN News Services

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