Cerelia Bakery Canada has been fined $85,000 following a workplace injury at its Mississauga, Ont., facility that left a worker critically injured.
The incident occurred on October 6, 2022, when a temporary agency worker on a cookie production line suffered injuries from an unguarded pinch point on a conveyor. According to Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the bakery failed to ensure the conveyor was properly guarded to prevent access to the hazardous area, violating Ontario Regulation 851/90 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The ministry’s investigation revealed that the worker had been resting on a guardrail near the conveyor when they lost their balance and came into contact with the pinch point. Inspectors found the conveyor lacked adequate guarding to prevent access to the danger zone.
Cerelia Bakery pleaded guilty in the Provincial Offences Court in Newmarket and was convicted on September 6, 2024. Justice of the Peace Cristina Santos imposed the $85,000 fine. The court also added a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, as required under the Provincial Offences Act, which supports a provincial fund for victims of crime.
Crown counsel Christine Perruzza represented the ministry during the proceedings.
