The Commission for Standards, Equity and Health and Safety at Work (CNESST) has published its report on the death of a worker that occurred on October 19, 2022 at the Norlou farm in Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes.

The investigation of the CNESST made it possible to establish the circumstances of the accident. The foreign worker was using a blender to prepare feed rations for the cows when he was hit by a moving snail. He opened the ejection door to clean the area around the door while the machine was operating.

There CNESST identified two causes to explain the accident. We can read that in his report The worker was pulled into the mixer by the moving auger blade and pushed against the wall of the plant. The identification of risks related to moving parts to which the worker was exposed was inadequate. Access to the moving auger was not identified and protected.

The owner of Norlou Farm complied with the request the day after the accident.

Prevent risks

The report of the CNESST are sent to organizations that are likely to be able to raise awareness among their members about the safety measures to be observed on farms. The Agricultural Producers Union and Quebec Dairy Producers have received a copy of the report for distribution to their members.

The director of the Prevention Inspection Department of the CNESSTRobert Larouche, wants agricultural producers to question the different risks on their farm.

We find moving parts, we work at heights, we work with animals, we have the gases we can have in the silos. These are environments that do not necessarily have resources and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Robert Larouche clarifies It is certain that agricultural producers have a lot, but they must work with their workers to recognize the risks.

There CNESST hopes that educational institutions offering agricultural courses will disseminate the survey results to raise awareness among future workers.