Worker seriously injured in industrial accident at food facility

(Canadian OH&S News) — An employee of a steel-fabrication company was hospitalized after an industrial accident at a food-preparation facility in Mississauga, Ont. on the afternoon of Aug. 6.

The Peel Regional Police (PRP) received a call about the incident at about 3:10 p.m. that day, according to PRP media-relations officer Constable Mark Fischer.

“He had a serious injury, was transported to a trauma centre in Toronto,” said Const. Fischer about the victim.

“The Ministry of Labour will be taking over the investigation, and at this point, it doesn’t appear to be criminal in nature.”

Janet Deline, a communications representative with the Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL), confirmed that the incident had occurred at a baking facility belonging to Furlani’s Food Corporation, which is based in Mississauga. The victim is an employee of GForce Custom Fabrication & Installation Inc., based in St. Clements, near Kitchener-Waterloo.

“The worker sustained a critical injury to their leg,” said Deline, who could not clarify the worker’s condition as of Aug. 10.

“Our inspector was on the scene and issued one order, and that’s to secure the scene, and so far, that’s still ongoing,” she added. “Our investigation is ongoing into that matter.”

Local media reports have stated the worker’s age as 29 years old.

Furlani’s Food Corporation did not respond to COHSN’s request for comment. GForce declined to discuss the incident.

Founded in 1984, Furlani’s manufactures fresh and frozen breads, particularly garlic bread, breadsticks, garlic toast and biscuits, according to information from its website. GForce, established in 2003, provides custom stainless-steel fabrication, engineering and design, safeguarding and other services, its online brochure says.