JBS facing several charges due to ‘life-altering’ workplace accident in 2018
By Medicine Hat News on October 8, 2020.
Medicine Hat News JBS Foods faces 14 counts under occupational health and safety laws after a mechanic had his arm pulled into a hide ringer two years ago. The accident occurred in May 2018 at the company’s processing facility in Brooks and resulted in “significant life-altering injuries” for the individual, according to a notice of the investigation on Alberta Occupational Health and Safety’s website. JBS Foods has not entered a plea on the charges that were laid in in April 2020. A second appearance was held Wednesday at Medicine Hat Provincial Court, where the matter was adjourned to Nov. 24. Medicine Hat currently handles some matters that would be heard in Brooks due to a COVID operational plan issued by court officials. The Alberta OH&S website states that the maintenance worker was demonstrating the operation of the machine that wrings out and presses animal hides when the accident occurred Investigators say the machine was without safety guards and that JBS failed to provide a safe working environment as required by legislation. 9-8
