[Al_The_Man]

Triple M Metal Corp., a Brampton company that recycles metal, was fined $75,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

On May 25, 2010, at the company's facility in Hamilton, a worker was using a torch to cut a railcar coupling. The coupling contained a cylinder that held compressed hydraulic fluids. The torch pierced the cylinder, allowing the hydraulic fluids to escape and ignite. The worker suffered second and third degree burns.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the company's procedures to identify hazardous materials failed to ensure that objects containing compressed hydraulic fluids were not cut using torches.

Triple M Metal Corp. pleaded guilty to failing take the reasonable precaution of having a safe procedure to ensure that objects being cut contained no hazardous materials.

[Geof]

...The coupling contained a cylinder that held compressed hydraulic fluids.....

Probably a ultra heavy duty gas shock replacing coil springs.

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Beware of charged hydraulic accumulators. They do not automatically "dump" their pressure unless designed to do so.

Dick Z