Charges laid in relation to incident in Corner Brook

The Department of Government Services announced today that Marine Contractors Inc. and the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. George�s have been charged for alleged violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Asbestos Abatement Regulations in relation to an incident which occurred in January of 2004.

The charges arise from activity during the demolition of the former Cabrini High School in Corner Brook.

On July 6, seven charges were laid against the company and two charges were laid against the Episcopal corporation as a result of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Branch of the Department of Government Services.

The charges against the company relate to its alleged failure: to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its workers; to ensure that its employees were aware of the hazards of asbestos; to use appropriate procedures for asbestos removal; to hold a valid asbestos abatement certificate; and to conduct an assessment of the likelihood of asbestos exposure. The charges against the Episcopal corporation relate to its alleged failure as a principal contractor to ensure that its contractor complied with the OHS Act and the Regulations and its failure to have an assessment made of the likelihood of asbestos exposure.

The first appearance is scheduled for July 29 at Provincial Court in Corner Brook.

Media contact: Melony O�Neill, Communications, (709) 729-0557

2005 07 22                        4:05 p.m.