Service NL
December 19, 2014
OHS Charges Arise from Fatal Snowmobile Incident
Service NL announced today that the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Justice and Public Safety has been charged as an employer with violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. The charges arise from an incident which occurred on February 21, 2013, and involve an employee who died while on snowmobile patrol. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Branch of Service NL.
The incident occurred on Eastern Blue Pond approximately 30 km from Bellburns and resulted in the drowning death of a Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer with the Department of Justice and Public Safety. The victim and two other enforcement officers were on patrol when the victim’s machine broke through the ice. Rescue attempts by other officers failed.
The employer has been charged with three counts that allege:
- Failure to provide the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision;
- Failure to ensure necessary protective clothing and devices were used; and,
- Failure to ensure written safe work procedures appropriate to the hazards and work activity were included in the employer’s OHS program.
The first appearance is scheduled for March 24, 2015 at Provincial Court in Port au Choix.
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| Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Service NL 709-729-4860, 682-6593 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca |
2014 12 19 11:00 a.m.