Ontario Construction News staff writer
Lehigh Cement Limited, now known as Heidelberg Materials Canada Limited, was fined $190,000 after three workers were injured during maintenance work at a production facility in Picton. The incident, which happened Sept. 7, 2021, led to charges under section 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Court proceedings, held at the Provincial Offences Court in Belleville, revealed that the workers, contracted from another company, were tasked with transitioning a cement kiln from coal dust to natural gas. This process required closing two valves in the kiln’s swirl air fan area to prevent gas backup into the coal system.
However, malfunctioning of one valve prompted an electrician from Lehigh Concrete to override its signal in the computer program, falsely indicating closure. Another electrician replicated this action for the second valve, creating a scenario where both valves appeared closed while remaining physically open.
As a result, natural gas flowed into the maintenance area, causing a flash fire and injuring the workers. The court emphasized the failure of Lehigh Cement Limited, as an employer, to ensure adequate safety measures, as mandated by section 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Justice of the Peace Deanne L. Chapelle imposed the $190,000 fine along with a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as stipulated by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge aims to assist victims of crime through a special provincial government fund. This incident underscores the critical importance of adhering to safety protocols to safeguard workers during industrial operations, as detailed in court documents.