Company sentenced in Wabush Provincial Court

The Department of Government Services announced today that Wabush Mines has been sentenced upon pleading guilty to violations of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. Wabush Mines is a joint venture of Stelco Inc., Wabush Resources Incorporated, Wabush Iron Co. Ltd., and Cliff�s Mining Company, Managing Agent. Two cases arose as the result of separate investigations by the Occupational Health and Safety Branch into two industrial accidents which occurred in October 2002 and February 2003.

The first accident in October 2002 occurred in the dryer building when a maintenance mechanic fell from a work platform and suffered injuries to the wrist, knee and cervical spine. The investigation resulted in seven charges under the OHS Act and Regulations against the company. The second accident in February 2003 occurred in a discharge area of the mine site when an employee of Whitten�s Fuel Oil, a fuel delivery contractor, was pinned between his truck and the tractor he was refueling. He suffered fatal injuries. This investigation resulted in the laying of five charges.

The two cases were dealt with in Provincial Court in Wabush on April 12, 2006. With respect to the first case, the company pleaded guilty to three charges, while the remaining four were withdrawn. The three charges relate generally to the failure of the company to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its workers; to provide the necessary information, instruction, supervision and facilities; and to ensure that its workers were made familiar with the hazards that may be met by them at the workplace. A court order requires the company to pay fines totalling $12,000, in addition to making a contribution of $3,500 towards public education in the field of occupational health and safety.

With respect to the second case, the company pleaded guilty to three charges which relate generally to its failure to implement safe heavy equipment refuelling protocols; to adequately inform, instruct and train its workers and contract personnel in safe refuelling procedures; and to ensure all such workers were made familiar with the hazards associated with heavy equipment refuelling. The remaining two charges were withdrawn. This court order requires payment of $40,000 in fines, in addition to a contribution of $10,000 for the purpose of public education.

Media contact: Vanessa Colman Sadd, Communications, (709) 729-4860, 682-6593

2006 05 12                                  11:00 a.m.