NLIS 4 
September 20, 2001
(Labour)
 

Charges laid under Occupational Health and Safety Act

Charges were laid on August 27, 2001 under the Provincial Occupational Health and Safety legislation against Woodward's Limited, the Town of St. Anthony and Rising Sun Developers Incorporated. The charges stem from alleged violations that occurred during the demolition of the Chaytor Building in St. Anthony last summer. On September 8, 2000, Michael Louis Gould was fatally injured when he fell through the roof of the building.

Charges have been laid against all three for failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of workers; failure to provide necessary information, instruction, training and supervision; failure to ensure workers and particularly supervisors were made familiar with the health and safety hazards of a job; and, failure to ensure that workers utilized a fall protection system in accordance with the current Canadian Standards Association (CSA) guidelines.

An additional charge has been laid against Woodward's Limited as principal contractor for the project for failure to ensure that employees, workers and self-employed persons complied with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.

"The Department of Labour works diligently in promoting the importance of workplace safety and the need for workers and employers to comply with safety regulations," said Labour Minister Anna Thistle. "These charges demonstrate that it is the duty of all parties involved at a workplace to employ safe work practices." 

The first court appearance is scheduled to take place on November 5, 2001, at the Provincial Court in St. Anthony. 

Media contact: Rebekah Winsor, Communications, (709) 729-1741.

2001 09 20                                     3:50 p.m.