A “serious injury” to a worker cutting pigs' feet at a Burnaby grocery store has led to a $600,000 WorkSafeBC fine for Pattison Food Group Ltd.
The worker was using a BIRO band saw to cut pigs' feet at the PriceSmart store at 4650 Kingsway on Jan. 21 when they sustained the injury, according to a WorkSafe inspection report obtained by the NOW.
An inspector found the worker had been using the band saw improperly.
“The worker used the BIRO band saw for cutting pig feet, which is in contradiction with the instructions from the manufacturer which state ‘DO NOT use this machine to cut pigs feet,’” the report says.
Two mandatory safeguards also weren’t being used properly, according to the report.
The top safeguard was placed higher than the manufacturer’s instructions, and the side safeguard wasn’t being used at all.
“Furthermore, a worker stated that the safeguards are not used when cutting pigs feet because they are slippery and the worker holds the feet with both hands,” the report says.
The inspector determined the company had failed to make sure its equipment was fitted with adequate safeguards and failed to make sure the equipment was operated according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The violations, which WorkSafe described as “high-risk,” resulted in a $603,915.47 penalty.
The store has since posted a notice telling workers not to cut pigs' feet with the BIRO bandsaw, according to the report.
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