Investigation Results in Occupational Health and Safety Charges for Drilling Company

Service NL announced today that CABO Drilling (Atlantic) Corp. has been charged with violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations in relation to an incident that occurred on March 11, 2011. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Branch.

The incident occurred at the Duck Pond Mine Site, approximately 80 km from Badger, and involved a worker who suffered severe burns to his face and hands when the drilling machine he was operating caught fire.

The company has been charged with eight violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. These charges relate to its alleged failure as an employer to provide a safe workplace as well as ensuring workers are made familiar with hazards and ensuring that work procedures promote the safe interaction of workers and their work environment. Other charges relate to ensuring that machine maintenance is done according to manufacturer’s instructions, machinery is effectively safeguarded to protect workers from the risk of exposure to an energy source and an ignition source is controlled or eliminated where a flammable substance is present.

The first appearance is scheduled for April 3, 2013, at Provincial Court in Grand Falls-Windsor.

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Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Service NL
709-729-4860, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca

2013 03 25                             11:20 a.m.