Company sentenced for failing to assist health and safety officers

A Springdale company has been found guilty by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador of two violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act relating to their failure to assist health and safety officers during an inspection of their premises.

Atkinson and Yates Boatbuilders Limited was ordered to pay a fine of $2,000 for each violation, for a total of $4,000, in Provincial Court in Gander, April 18, 2005.

The two charges relate to planned inspections by occupational health and safety officers of the company�s premises in August 2003 as part of a province-wide initiative to inspect all fibreglass shops. On two separate occasions, the employer refused to allow the officers to complete the inspection and ordered them off the property.

The company was originally facing a total of four charges � two for each incident. The court found the company guilty on two counts of failing to give officers reasonable help to enable them to carry out their duties and functions. Two other charges, those relating to the alleged failure to cooperate with a person exercising a duty imposed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act or Regulations, were stayed.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-4860, 690-6157

2005 04 29                                                       9:20 a.m.