A company that installs greenhouses in Tillsonburg has been fined $73,000 after a worker lost part of his finger.

The Ministry of Labour says on June 27, 2012, the worker was welding pieces of metal at Erie Greenhouse Structures Inc. The welder was using a brake press to form metal into a tobacco bin when a finger was pinched in the machine, resulting in the loss of most of the finger.

It was determined that the brake press was not maintained in good condition and that two of three methods of operation were not working. As well, it was determined that the machine was not guarded at its pinch point as required.

The company was found guilty on three counts under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.  A charge against a supervisor is pending and may proceed to trial in September. The court also imposed a 25% victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act.

Erie Greenhouse Structures employs 22 workers including the welder who was injured.