Contractor Faces Occupational Health and Safety Charges in Provincial Court

The Department of Government Services announced today that Farrell’s Excavating Limited has been charged with violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations in relation to a fatal accident that occurred in August 2009. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Branch.

The incident occurred on the Trans Canada Highway east of Lewisporte Junction, when the pavement milling machine a worker was operating overturned into a water-filled ditch.

The company has been charged with four violations which relate generally to its alleged failure to provide training and supervision, to ensure familiarity with health and safety hazards, to ensure inspection, repair and maintenance of mobile equipment was carried out according to manufacturer’s instructions, and to ensure that a person who operates mobile equipment on a highway is the holder of an appropriate class of licence.

The first appearance is scheduled for August 30, 2011 at Provincial Court in Gander.

Media contact:
Hugh Donnan
Director of Communications
Department of Government Services
709-729-4860, 725-6511
hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca

2011 08 29                                   11:00 a.m.