BRAMPTON, ONT. — Metex Heat Treating Ltd., a Brampton, Ont.-based company that does heat treatment on metal parts and fasteners, has been fined $144,000 after two workers were seriously injured in a flash fire in 2023.
According to an Ontario court bulletin, on Jan. 5, 2023, two workers were restarting a furnace that had been shut down for several weeks.
The furnace used a gas combination, including hydrogen for combustion and a petroleum-based oil quench tank, both of which posed flammable risks.
The procedure required purging the furnace with nitrogen before igniting the pilot light. One worker completed the purge but delayed ignition, which allowed residual flammable vapours to collect in the furnace, the bulletin describes.
When the pilot light was lit, a flash fire occurred, injuring both workers.
One worker had been provided with flame-resistant coveralls. The other had not been provided coveralls and was wearing clothing that was not suitable for protection against flash fires.
As a result of an Ministry of Labour investigation, it was determined Metex did not provide adequate protective clothing to all workers engaged in furnace operations or working near a furnace, contrary to  of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Following a guilty plea in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, the company was fined on July 24, 2025, by Justice of the Peace Dan D’Ignazio
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