A bakery firm in Canada has been fined $55,000 following an incident in which a worker was seriously injured while adjusting an industrial oven at the company’s Ontario facility.
The incident occurred on 20 March 2023, when the employee attempted to adjust the speed of a batter depositor while it was in operation. The worker reached below the oven to manually turn a knob, resulting in significant injuries.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development found that although the worker’s method of adjusting the machine complied with both on-the-job training and the manufacturer’s instructions, the oven itself was not properly guarded. The lack of adequate guarding meant that NuStef Baking Ltd. had failed to implement the safety measures required under section 25 of Ontario Regulation 851/90, in breach of section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
In addition to the fine, the company was required to pay a 25% victim fine surcharge under the Provincial Offences Act. This surcharge is directed to a provincial fund supporting victims of crime.
Lessons for OSH
Even when workers follow training and manufacturer instructions, inadequate machine guarding can lead to serious injuries. Regular inspections, effective safeguards, and risk assessments that reflect real-world use are essential. Non-compliance carries fines and legal consequences, so fostering a proactive safety culture – where hazards are reported and systems are continuously reviewed – is critical to preventing incidents.
Source – IOSH
