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Well-known baker loses right arm in workplace injury

On Behalf of | Sep 20, 2017 | Workplace Injuries |

In British Columbia, employers in all industries must comply with requirements to protect the health and safety of their employees. If the inspectors of WorkSafeBC investigate a workplace injury and find that safety violations caused it, the business will be fined. This happened to Nature’s Oven Foods after an incident that claimed most of a baker’s right arm earlier this year.

In May, the baker, well-known for baking the annual four by six-foot Canada Cake in West Kelowna, even received recognition in the House of Commons by a Member of Parliament. Reportedly, she lost her arm when it became entangled in the working parts of a dough mixer at the commercial bakery. The victim was appointed the position of the head baker at the company in 2012.

Upon completion of the investigation, WorkSafeBC issued a fine of nearly $6,300 after it was determined that the company violated safety regulations. Inspectors found that the original design of the dough mixer was modified when a hinged opening was fitted to the guard, making it possible for a worker to put a hand into the mixer while it is in operation. Further safety violations included the employer’s failure to ensure safeguards are fitted to several other machines, and also the lack of information, training, instructions and supervision to keep employees safe.

Although the employer of the baker who suffered the catastrophic workplace injury assured her of continued employment, she will be facing high costs for medical treatment, rehabilitation and the prosthesis. Fortunately, she will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Many injured victims of on-the-job injuries choose to seek the support and guidance of an experienced British Columbia workers’ compensation lawyer to navigate claims for financial relief.

Source: coastmountainnews.com, “Canada Cake baker loses arm in dough mixer“, Carmen Weld, Aug. 30, 2017

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