Service NL
April 30, 2013
 

Investigation Results in Occupational Health and Safety Charges

Service NL announced today that the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOCC) and one of its supervisors have been charged with violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations in relation to a fatality that occurred at the Labrador City mine site on April 19, 2011. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Branch.
 
The incident involved an employee of a contractor hired to install poles and related equipment for a new power line at the site and occurred while the victim was working from one pole of the new line, located in close proximity to an existing energized power line.
 
The company has been charged with six violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations which are as follows:

• Its alleged failure as a principal contractor to ensure that employers performing work comply with the legislation;
• Its alleged failure as an employer to ensure those not under its employ are protected from hazards;
• Its alleged failure to ensure that the worker in charge appropriately isolated, grounded and locked out the part of the high voltage power system being worked on;
• Its alleged failure to ensure that de-energized high voltage electrical equipment was differentiated from similar energized equipment at the work location;
• Its alleged failure to ensure that at least the minimum distance existed between exposed, energized high voltage electrical equipment and a worker; and,
• Its alleged failure to ensure an effective communication system existed between the person in charge and the workers doing the work.

In addition, the IOCC supervisor has been charged with an alleged failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all workers under his supervision and not advising of the hazards likely to be met, the precautions to be taken, and ensuring the appropriate protective equipment or devices were used or worn.
 
The first appearance for both is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, at Provincial Court in Wabush.

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Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Service NL
709-729-4860, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca
 
2013 04 30                                        11:15 a.m.