The Arva Flour Mill won’t be grinding to a halt.

A federal tribunal has overturned a federal safety ruling Friday that called for the historic mill north of London to shut down.

The Occupational Health and Safety Tribunal ruling Friday overturned the decision to shut down the 113-year old mill, the oldest operating flour mill in the country.

The initial reason for the shut-down, ordered in May, was fears the exposed rollers and belts — part of the century-old equipment — were a safety risk to employees.

Owner Mike Matthews was able to get an exemption, but had to operate the mill alone, forcing him to lay off his millers, until the tribunal ruled.

Appeals officer Michael Wiwchar wrote that he visited the mill on his own twice as part of his investigation and was satisfied the millers were well-equipped to work the old machinery.

He criticized the initial inspector — who testified she believed the employees were in “imminent danger” and could easily be hurt by the moving parts — writing that her actions were “inconsistent with investigation.”

Wiwchar noted that, despite her belief in imminent danger, “she waited more than two weeks to issue her direction.”

He also questioned her assessment that the employees could get seriously injured. The tribunal ruled that all of her conclusions were speculative and “she did not raise any concrete facts to substantiate her conclusion.”

“In my opinion, there is nothing in the evidence to indicate that the threat to employees operating the milling equipment was on the point of happening on the day of the inspection,” Wiwchar wrote.

“On the contrary, the evidence is to the effect that only a very small number of knowledgeable employees operate the milling equipment while following established processes and procedures in order to ensure their safety.”

Wiwchar wrote that he visited the mill twice and was satisfied that the employees had the knowledge to operate the “ancient equipment.”

He also relied on the testimonies of Matthews and the millers who work there, who said that while there are hazards, “they do not believe they are likely to get seriously injured by being exposed to the rotating and moving parts.”

Matthews, while relieved, said the initial order and delay were futile and unnecessary.

“It (the shutdown) wasn’t ­warranted at all. For 10 months, I have lost out on contracts, my employees were out of work and I worked ridiculous hours.”

Matthews said he has called back one of his two millers back to work. The other has retired and he said it is “up in the air” whether he will be replaced.

But Matthews said he is still concerned about the tribunal’s ruling that the mill will need additional guards on machinery and training for staff. He said he is asking for clarification from ministry officials.

“We don’t want an engineer designing things three or four times. We want to hit the nail on the head the first time.”

Matthews said he has received great community support, included 10,000 names on a petition to allow the mill to reopen and support from MPs Bev Shipley and Peter Fragiskatos.

Matthews said he is concerned about the cost of guards and whether they would obscure the view of the machinery.

“I want to make it visually pleasing. It’s antique. That’s how we sell our product, through the vintage equipment. We don’t want it all blocked with a metal monstrosity.

“We won the battle, but we are still at war.”