A Windsor-Essex company will pay a fine of $175,000 in the workplace death of a 24-year-old man almost two years ago.
Prestressed Systems Incorporated, which makes girders for bridges, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of failing to provide proper protection for Michael Cobb. All other counts were withdrawn.
On the day of his death, Cobb, who is from Chatham-Kent, was working in a confined space on a piece of equipment that stresses concrete. A part of the machine he was using broke and hit him, pinning him to a trench wall.
The lawyer for Prestressed Systems Incorporated, Pat Ducharme, said Cobb died almost instantly. A second worker who suffered a head injury survived.
The $175,000 fine is exclusive of the victim fine surcharge, according to Ministry of Labour spokesperson Kalem McSween in an email to Blackburn News. The company has one year to pay.