Ontario farm worker dies in workplace incident

No cause determined as for the incident

Ontario farm worker dies in workplace incident

One Ontario worker died on a Lucan-area farm in southwestern Ontario on Monday morning.

However, it’s unclear just what happened.

Emergency crews were called to the Bloemen Dairy Farms and OJB Industries on Breen Drive, just west of Mitchell Line, for an injured worker at 9:20 a.m. ET, reported CBC.

"When our crews arrived, there was one unconscious male and now the scene is under investigation," said Steve Toews, the Biddulph-Blanchard fire chief, according to the report. "We have no cause determined."

The identity of the deceased has also not been made public.

The farm and manufacturing facility where the incident happened makes farm equipment, and emergency crews were called to the machine shop side of the business, Toews said.

"As a result of the incident, an individual was pronounced deceased at the scene," OPP said in a statement on Monday. OPP respondent to the scene along with Middlesex-London Paramedic Service and the Toew's volunteer fire department.

"The Ministry of Labour was contacted and is investigating the incident."

However, on Tuesday, OPP said that it is no longer involved in the investigation, reported the Toronto Star.

The incident “was non-suspicious” and the matter “has been handed over to the Ministry of Labour,” a spokesperson for Middlesex OPP said.

In March, following National Farm Safety Week, the Canada Safety Council reminded Canadian farmers to take necessary measures to keep workers safe.

“While productivity is important, it can be hampered without the proper training of workers and the implementation of best safety practices,” said Gareth Jones, president and CEO of the Canada Safety Council.

The Saskatchewan government proclaimed March 13-19, 2022 as Agricultural Safety Week in the province.

Earlier, AgSafe, with the help of partners, announced it is providing numerous mental health supports for farmers, ranchers and growers in British Columbia.

Recently, a 36-year-old Janco Steel worker was fatally injured after being hit by a forklift at the Stoney Creek plant in Hamilton, Ont.

Also, at least one worker was injured during an explosion on a construction site for Normandy Manor in Yukon on April 11. And a construction worker was seriously injured in a hit-and-run near a road construction site in Montreal.

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