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Cascades Tissue fined for worker accident

Cascades Tissue Group was fined $80,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured at the company’s facility in Toronto.

Cascades Tissue Group was fined $80,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured at the company’s facility in Toronto.

On June 24, 2011, a worker returning to the receiving area from break was struck by a forklift carrying a large roll of paper. The worker’s leg was injured.

According to a press release from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, the worker was not wearing a safety vest and there were no barriers in the receiving area to protect workers from forklift traffic. Furthermore, the only sign warning of vehicular traffic was posted at the plant’s gatehouse lobby.

Cascades Tissue Group pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that materials were transported in a way and with appropriate precautions to protect the safety of a worker. 

In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25% 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.