Charges laid in relation to an incident at a St. John�s dockyard

The Department of Government Services announced today that St. John�s-based company Newdock Ltd. has been charged for alleged violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations in relation to an industrial incident on their premises in 2003.

No one was injured in the incident on June 4, 2003 when a crane tipped over while attempting a lift.

Occupational health and safety officers ordered an independent assessment of the crane after the incident. The company is facing four charges as a result of the investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Branch.

Two charges relate to the alleged failure of the company to maintain a crane in a safe operating condition, and the remaining two pertain to failure to ensure that a securely-mounted seat is provided for the operator, and that a seat belt is installed on mobile equipment.

The first appearance is scheduled for May 31, 2005 at the Provincial Court in St. John�s.

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

2005 05 06                             10:20 a.m.