Investigation Results in Occupational Health and Safety Charges

Service NL announced today that Country Ribbon Inc. and a company supervisor have been charged with violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations in relation to an incident that occurred in December 2009. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Branch.

The incident occurred at the company processing plant at Pleasantville in St. John’s, and involved a worker who suffered the amputation of three fingers from one hand while he was cleaning a machine.

The company has been charged with three violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations which relate generally to its alleged failure as an employer to ensure its workers, and supervisors were made familiar with hazards at the workplace. In addition, the employer failed to ensure that each piece of equipment was used according to safe work practices, and to ensure that hazards were effectively controlled prior to performing maintenance on equipment.

The supervisor has been charged with an alleged failure to provide proper written or oral instructions regarding precautions to be taken for the protection of all workers under his supervision.

The first appearance for both is scheduled for January 12, 2012 at Provincial Court in St. John’s.

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

2012 01 11                           10:15 a.m.