An Alberta food processing company is facing 26 charges in connection with the death of an Edmonton employee who was trapped and fatally burned in a smokehouse over a year ago.
Subedi was discovered unconscious and later passed away in the hospital on the same day.
“It is always tragic when a worker dies on the job,” a spokesperson for the Alberta jobs, economy, and trade ministry expressed to The Epoch Times via email. “Our government’s objective is to ensure that all workers return home safely and in good health after each workday.”
The province has refrained from providing further comments as the case is currently before the court.
The charges against Sofina Foods include inadequate worker training on equipment operation, failure to ensure safe exits from work areas, lack of necessary hazard assessments, and absence of an effective communication system for employees working in confined spaces.
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Other charges include failure to maintain equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications, inadequate lighting in workspaces, and lack of prevention measures to stop employees from accessing unauthorized areas.
The company has stated that it fully cooperated with the investigation.
“Our employees are the core of our business, and our plant superintendent, Samir, was a valued member of our Sofina family,” company spokesperson Shannon Denny conveyed to The Epoch Times via email. “His passing deeply impacted his family, our team, and our community.”
Subedi held a master’s degree in food science and technology from the University of Alberta and had previous work experience in India before relocating to Canada.
Established in 1995 and headquartered in Markham, Ont., Sofina Foods Inc. produces protein products for food service and retail customers. The company operates over 40 sites and employs more than 13,000 individuals in Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, and France.
The company is set to appear in court in Edmonton on Jan. 7, 2025.
