Ford faces $850,000 fine following Ministry of Labour investigation into workplace deaths

BURLINGTON, Ont. - Ford Canada is facing a $850,000 fine for violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, following two separate accidents where two workers were killed.

The first one occurred on January 31, 2008, where a worker was crushed between two forklifts at Ford's Oakville plant, and died as a result of their injuries. The investigation by the Ministry of Labour found that the forklift operator did not keep a clear view of the vehicle's travel path while in reverse.

Nearly a year later on January 14, 2009, a worker from the Bramalea plant drove a lift truck carrying a pallet which wasn't secured properly.  While driving the truck down a narrow aisle, the pallet struck a storage rack and subsequently crushed the worker between the pallet and the vehicle. Investigators from the Ministry of Labour found that Ford's material movement policies and procedures were not adequate.

On Tuesday, Ford pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to take all reasonable precautions in the circumstances to protect the safety of the workers. The court also imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, required by the Provincial Offences Act, in addition to the fine.