NLIS 3
November 30, 2004
(Government Services)
Occupational Health and
Safety Branch findings consistent with consultant's report
Government Services
Minister Dianne Whalen today announced that an assessment team from
her department have concluded their investigation into the condition
of the Harbour Breton fish processing plant.
The department has
conducted a full and comprehensive assessment of the Harbour Breton
facility and the findings are consistent with the external
consultant's report done for Fishery Products International (FPI)
earlier this month that found structural deficiencies.
Officials have identified
several safety issues that require immediate attention. The
Occupational Health and Safety Branch is issuing three stop-work
orders and seven directives to FPI to resolve health and safety
concerns. Any employees or maintenance staff working in the affected
areas will have to be relocated until remedial measures have been
taken.
It is recommended that all
immediate concerns identified by Government Services officials be
addressed as soon as possible. All relevant orders will be issued to
FPI later today and copies will be provided to the joint occupational
health and safety committee at the plant.
The assessment included a
review of the consultant's report, as well as an on-site inspection of
the facility's electrical systems, boiler pressure vessels and
compliance with occupational health and safety requirements.
"We were able to
quickly assemble a skilled assessment team of occupational health and
safety inspectors, as well as electrical and boiler pressure vessel
inspectors, to respond to the request to evaluate the consultant's
report and conduct an assessment on the Harbour Breton facility,"
Minister Whalen said. "I have the greatest confidence in the
competence and recommendations of my staff, and the resulting orders
are to ensure the health and safety of the employees of the
plant."
The opinion of
occupational health and safety officials is that upon resolution of
these identified health and safety concerns, the Harbour Breton
facility can safely resume production activities. Required remedial
measures include removing or reinforcing areas with structural
weaknesses, and repairing leaks in the roof that could result in
electrical hazards.
Media contact: Tracy
Barron, Communications, (709) 729-4860 or 690-6157
2004 11 30
12:40 p.m. |