St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton has been ordered to pay a $65,000 fine after admitting to an Occupational Health and Safety Act violation linked to a laboratory accident that left an employee critically injured.
The incident happened on Aug. 28, 2024, in the hospital’s virology lab as a worker was placing samples into a Thermo Scientific Heraeus Megafuge 16R centrifuge. During the process, the machine’s lid unexpectedly dropped, causing serious injuries.
An investigation by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour determined the centrifuge’s gas strut, which is designed to keep the lid open, had deteriorated and required replacement. Because the faulty component had not been repaired, workers were forced to support the heavy lid by hand while using the equipment.
Inspectors found the worn gas strut had been flagged during maintenance checks in both 2023 and 2024. Although a replacement was eventually ordered, the repair was postponed after the incorrect part was delivered. The equipment was fixed two days after the worker was hurt.
The ministry concluded the hospital failed to keep the machine in safe operating condition. Following a guilty plea entered on June 18 in Hamilton Provincial Offences Court, the hospital was fined $65,000 and must also pay the mandatory victim fine surcharge.
In response, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton apologized to the employee, who has since returned to work, and said it has strengthened its maintenance procedures, improved protocols for removing faulty equipment from service, enhanced coordination with suppliers, and reinforced its workplace safety reporting practices.