Windsor company facing $180,000 fine following workplace fatality

Saturn Tool and Die's sign seen in Windsor, Ont. on Jan. 21, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor)

A Windsor company is facing a fine of $180,000 following a workplace fatality that took place in 2022.

On March 28, 2022, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development said a worker was killed while troubleshooting a stamping press at Saturn Tool and Die in Oldcastle.

The worker went into the press through the light curtain, which was the cause of the press no longer working. The machine wasn’t locked out by putting ram blocks into place and plugging in the electronic lockout plugs.

While the maintenance worker was inside, another worker came to the press, not aware the maintenance worker was inside. The light curtains were reset, and the press was cycled, leading to the death of the maintenance worker.

In a news release, the ministry said the company, “failed to ensure that the motion of any part of the press that could endanger a worker was stopped and blocked during maintenance work.”

It added that through investigation, it learned it was “common practice” for production floor workers to not use ram blocks when troubleshooting for a short time.

In addition to the fine for Saturn Tool and Die, a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge was imposed. The money will go to a provincial government fund that helps victims of crime.