Employer cited for 2 high-risk violations
British Columbia employer Westfair Foods Ltd./Western Grocers Division & Cash and Carry Division has been fined $273,274.12 after being found in violation of workplace safety regulations.
WorkSafeBC conducted an inspection at the company’s workplace following an incident that had occurred a month earlier in a docking area.
At the time, a worker was unloading a trailer using a forklift. However, the trailer did not have anti-dive legs installed and tipped over.
“During its inspection, WorkSafeBC observed two trailers at the docking station without anti-dive legs. Loading had been initiated for one of these trailers,” said WorkSafeBC.
Anti-dive legs (also known as anti-nose‑dive legs) are safety supports installed at the front of a parked trailer—typically in a docking area—to prevent the trailer’s nose from tipping or “diving” forward when a forklift enters or unloads heavy cargo,” according to Yumpu. “They are a crucial component of trailer landing gear systems designed to maintain stability during loading and unloading operations,” it said.
“The firm failed to ensure each piece of equipment was used according to safe work practices and failed to ensure corrective action was taken on reports of unsafe conditions, said WorkSafeBC.
Both were deemed high-risk violations, according to the government agency.
Westfair Foods distributes grocery products on both a retail and wholesale basis.
The company operates retail stores under the names "Real Canadian Superstore," "Real Canadian Wholesale Club" and "Extra Foods" names in western Canada.
