During a recent session in Outlook Provincial Court, the Saskatoon company Sommer Green Forages pleaded guilty 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 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 took, 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.

A fine of $50,000, along with a surcharge of $20,000, came as a result of the court date, for a total amount of $70,000.

The charges stem from a workplace fatality that took place near Broderick, Saskatchewan, on October 25th, 2019. A worker was clearing the teeth on the roller of a baler, before becoming entangled by the machine, eventually leading to the workers death.

According to the government release, 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.