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600V gantry crane delivers fatal shock to Konecranes manager

February 9, 2017 | By Anthony Capkun



February 9, 2017 – Konecranes Canada Inc., a company that services industrial cranes and lifting devices, pleaded guilty and was fined $125,000 after a worker was fatally injured by an electrical shock.

In July 2015, a Konecranes worker arrived to repair a 20-ton overhead gantry crane at Van-Rob Inc., an auto parts manufacturer located in Richmond Hill, Ont.. The worker was later joined by a Konecranes manager who wanted to see the repairs.

The worker and manager used a scissor lift to reach the crane, and the worker continued repairs. While in the scissor lift, the manager received an electrical shock; the power source to the crane is rated at 600V. The manager was taken to hospital, but died from the injury.

An Ontario Ministry of Labour investigation determined that a Konecranes Canada Inc. worker did not follow the energy isolation and verification procedures set out in the Konecranes safety manual. That was contrary to section 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health & Safety Act, which states an employer shall take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.

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Besides the fine of $125K, the court also imposed a 25% victim fine surcharge.


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