OHS Legislation Violation Leads to Farm Worker Fatality

On December 17, 2020, Sommer Green Forages pleaded guilty in Outlook Provincial Court to violating one count under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996, as a result of a workplace fatality that occurred on October 25, 2019.

The Saskatoon company was charged with contravening subsection 139(1) of the regulations (being an employer, failed to ensure that before a worker undertakes the maintenance, repair, test or adjustment of machine other than a power tool, the machine is locked out and remains locked out during that activity if not doing so would put the worker at risk, resulting in the death of a worker).

Three other charges were stayed.

As a result of this charge, the Court imposed a fine of $50,000, along with a surcharge of $20,000, for a total amount of $70,000.

The charge stemmed from a workplace fatality that occurred on October 25, 2019, near Broderick, Saskatchewan. While clearing the teeth on the roller of a baler, the worker became entangled, resulting in the worker’s death.

Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, in partnership with the Workers’ Compensation Board, supports and promotes Mission: Zero – zero workplace injuries, zero fatalities and zero suffering. We are all responsible for keeping ourselves and each other safe and healthy at work.

To learn more about safety in the workplace, visit www.worksafesask.ca