Workplace injury results in $79,500 fine for dairy manufacturer

Saputo Produits Laitiers Canada S.E.N.C. / Saputo Dairy Products Canada GP has been fined $79,500 after a worker was injured while attempting to clean equipment at its facility in Woodbridge, Ont.

On June 4, 2023, the worker was cleaning and sanitizing equipment used to process and package various cheese products.

The fixed-in-place guards, designed to prevent worker access to in-running nip hazards, were removed from a conveyor to allow the worker access to all parts of the machine for cleaning.

While attempting to clean waste cheese particles that were stuck in the groove of a conveyor drive roller, the worker was critically injured. The conveyor had been running while the worker was cleaning it.

A Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development investigation found that the worker would not have been injured had the conveyor been equipped with a guard to protect the worker from accessing the in-running nip hazard.

Saputo pleaded guilty to failing, as an employer, to ensure the measures and procedures prescribed by section 25 of the Regulation for Industrial Establishments were carried out in the workplace, contrary to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

In addition to the $79,500 fine, the court imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.