St. John’s Dockyard Ltd. has been charged today with violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations in relation to an incident that occurred in December 2016. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Division.

The incident, which resulted in a worker being overcome by paint fumes, occurred at the dockyard during painting operations inside a ballast tank on a provincial ferry.

The company has been charged with nine violations under the act and regulations which relate to its alleged failure to:

• Provide and maintain a safe workplace;
• Implement its OHS Program;
• Implement its Respiratory Protection Program;
• Ensure that necessary clothing and devices were used;
• Ensure that personal protective equipment provided effective protection;
• Ensure that respiratory protection equipment was provided when necessary;
• Ensure that appropriate tests for harmful fumes were made and recorded;
• Ensure that a rescue worker had immediate access to appropriate breathing apparatus; and
• Ensure that emergency rescue procedures were established and followed for work in or near a confined space.

The first appearance is scheduled for May 30, 2018, at Provincial Court in St. John’s.

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Media contact
Melony O’Neill
Service NL
709-729-4860, 689-0928
melonyoneill@gov.nl.ca