An appeals court has ruled employee safety rules were breached in the death of a Calgary man who died operating a mechanical calf roping machine in 2007.

Nathaniel Shair, 22, died at a corporate Stampede function when he was struck in the head by a lever that flew off a calf roping ride.

The Calgary Sun reports a judge has now overturned acquittals in the case.

Justice Pat Sullivan says supervisors at XI Technologies should have ensured staff was properly trained on how to use the machine.

Sullivan also said the company didn’t consider the severity of the risks involved.