Toronto bakery fined $50K after worker seriously injured by 'dough chunker'
An industrial bakery in Toronto has been fined $50,000 after one of its workers suffered serious injuries while cleaning an industrial dough mixer, known as a “dough chunker.”
In an Ontario government news release issued Tuesday, the province said the incident happened on March 22, 2021, at Niche Bakers Corp. on 6680 Finch Ave. West, located near Highway 27.
According to the release, two workers were cleaning the dough chunker, which was inside a gated and fenced-off zone. The entrance to the mixer is controlled by safety gates, which would prevent the dough chunker from starting when open.
Whenever a worker is inside the gated zone, the power is required to be off with the safety gates left open.
One of the bakery’s employees was inside the gated zone to clean the mixer at the time, while another worker was at the control panel outside the zone, the release reads. The second worker – contrary to safety procedures – closed the safety gates and reset the system.
The province says the employee cleaning the dough chunker asked their coworker to turn the machine on momentarily in order to rotate the uncleaned portions of the machine parts, so they could clean it.
Consequently, the worker cleaning the dough chunker was seriously injured by the rotating blades.
Under Industrial Establishments in Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, Section 76(a) states that if the starting of a machine could endanger a worker’s safety, control switches or mechanisms “shall be locked out so that the machine cannot be activated.”
Since Niche Bakers Corp. failed to ensure that these measures were being carried out, the Ontario Court of Justice fined the company $50,000 following a guilty plea on Jan.13, 2023.
On top of that, the court imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, as mandated by the Provincial Offences Act.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.