Ontario’s Ministry of Labour (MOL) has issued 11 compliance orders against a farm following a workplace fatality.

According to MOL spokesperson William Lin, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) contacted the ministry at about 10:35 a.m. on Jan. 22 to report the fatality, which occurred at 262 Roland Road in Fonthill. “Police reported that a concrete block had fallen off a tractor and onto the worker,” Lin said, noting that the incident occurred at White Meadows Farms. “Emergency medical services attended the scene, and the worker was pronounced dead on the scene.”

Lin said that the MOL dispatched an inspector to the scene, as well as an engineer. On that same day, the ministry issued 11 orders related to protecting workers when moving concrete blocks, a procedure and plan to remove the concrete block involved in the incident, posting of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in the workplace and preparing health and safety policies and training. “It is my understanding these orders currently remain in progress,” Lin said on Jan. 27.

Sgt. Rich Gadreau, social media officer with the NRPS, said that at about 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 22, local police officers, emergency medical services personnel and firefighters responded to the accident, which claimed the life of the 36-year-old worker. The NRPS continues to assist the MOL in investigating the accident, Sgt. Gadreau said, adding that the identity of the deceased man was not being released at the request of his family.

The company declined to comment on the incident, but released a statement on its Facebook page. “As a family farm, White Meadows Farms has deep connections with our customers and staff alike,” the statement read. “In this tragic event, we have felt the love of the people around us and thank everyone for their support. As the investigation is ongoing, we are giving the Ministry of Labour and the police our full cooperation.”