WESTFAIR FOODS CONVICTED OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY VIOLATION

Westfair Foods Ltd. has been convicted under the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations following an incident that caused the serious injury of a worker. The firm was fined $23,100 plus a $6,900 victim fine surcharge.

On May 3rd, 2001, a 26-year-old supervisor at the Confederation Park Superstore in Saskatoon was assisting a delivery driver while a rack of plants was lowered from a truck on a power tailgate. During the unloading, the rack tipped over onto the employee, causing her serious injury, including paralysis from the waist down.

Westfair Foods Ltd. pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide for safe handling of substances. Charges against the employer of the delivery driver were stayed after the company went into receivership.

"This tragic event shows that disregard for Occupational Health and Safety regulations has consequences," Occupational Health and Safety Division Executive Director Allan Walker said. "That's why we're taking action to enforce standards as part of an overall education and enforcement strategy."

In 2004, more than 14,000 Saskatchewan workers covered by the Workers' Compensation Board suffered a time loss injury or illness. The Occupational Health and Safety Division will conduct over 4,500 workplace inspections and provide training to over 4,000 employer and worker representatives on their safety responsibilities this year.

Maximum penalties for an offence that causes the death or serious injury of a worker are $300,000 and two years in jail.

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For More Information, Contact:

Allan Walker Labour Regina Phone: (306) 787-4481