Canada-based manufacturer of footwear such as snow boots and work boots Baffin, Inc., has been fined C$60,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in serious hand injuries to an employee.

The fine followed an incident on June 1, 2005, when a worker was installing a component of an injection-moulding machine when a control switch was suddenly activated causing a mould to rise up and crush the worker's right hand. As a result of the incident, the worker suffered amputation of the small finger as well as amputation of part of the hand.

Baffin pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a control switch on the injection-moulding machine was locked out and other effective precautions were taken to prevent any starting that could endanger a worker's safety.