Charges laid resulting from explosion

Labour Minister Anna Thistle has advised that Crosbie Industrial Services Limited of St. John�s will make their first court appearance in Corner Brook on July 9 for alleged violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The charges stem from an explosion which occurred on the Corner Brook waterfront on October 23, 2000.

The company faces four charges under the Act including: failure to control or eliminate all existing or potential sources of ignition where volatile flammable substances, gases or vapours were present; failure to provide information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of workers; failure to ensure that workers and, particularly supervisors, are familiar with the health and safety hazard; and failure to ensure that safety procedures were followed at the workplace.

Crosbie Industrial Services Limited had been hired by Polaris Resources Ltd. (owner of the former North Star Cement) to empty and dismantle Bunker C oil tanks at two locations in Corner Brook.

Media contact: Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Communications, (709) 729-1741.

2002 06 28                             8:40 a.m.