Hazard summary

Two workers were killed in 1999 in dough mixing machines because the machines were not properly guarded or locked-out. Many other workers continue to suffer severe injuries from such machines.

Access to the moving parts such as whisks, paddles, hooks or other blending accessories has caused these fatalities or crushing, laceration or fracture injuries.

This resource does not replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations, and should not be used as or considered legal advice. Health and safety inspectors apply the law based on the facts in the workplace.

Hazard location

Bakeries, restaurants, cafeterias, supermarkets, hotels, theme parks, colleges, schools, and the food processing industry.

Recommended precautions and legal requirements

1. Guarding

Dough mixing machines need to be guarded to prevent a worker from being exposed to the moving parts. The guard should be interlocked so that the equipment cannot be operated when it is opened for pouring or cleaning, or when the bowl is lowered.

An appropriate "lock-out" procedure should be in place. The interlock shall not be used in place of an appropriate lock-out procedure.

The Regulation for Industrial Establishments, section 24 states:

Where a machine or prime mover or transmission equipment has an exposed moving part that may endanger the safety of any worker, the machine or prime mover or transmission equipment shall be equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to the moving part.

Section 76 of the regulation states:

Where the starting of a machine, transmission machinery, device or thing may endanger the safety of a worker,

  1. control switches or other control mechanisms shall be locked out; and
  2. other effective precautions necessary to prevent any starting shall be taken.

2. Training

The employer is required to make sure that workers are trained to recognize possible hazards in the workplace.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act, section 25(2)(a) states:

...an employer shall, provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker