Service NL
June 28, 2017

Provincial Government Issues Occupational Health and Safety Orders Related to Construction of Hydro Towers

On June 23, 2017, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Division of Service NL issued two directives to Nalcor Energy and two directives to Emera Newfoundland and Labrador related to the installation of transmission towers for the Lower Churchill project and the Bay d’Espoir to Western Avalon Line project.

The directives include:

  1. Conduct an audit of the procedures for the installation, adjustment, and replacement of any component of guy-supported towers.
  2. Conduct an audit of the installation of all guy-supported towers and associated components. This review shall be conducted under the direction of a professional engineer registered to practice in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The reviews shall include but are not limited to the adherence to manufacturer’s installation instructions, the direction provided by a professional engineer, and how such work is carried out in the field in accordance with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.

Nalcor Energy and Emera are required to establish timelines for the audits by June 28, 2017.

The directives were issued to protect the health and safety of workers while full investigations into recent incidents are ongoing.

 Quote
“Three recent fatalities highlight the critical importance of strong occupational health and safety programs and the responsibilities of everyone involved to ensure that these programs are strictly followed. Immediate action must be taken by all workplace parties to ensure that everything possible is being done to protect the health and safety of all workers. As these investigations continue, OHS officers will be seeking any and all information that will help us understand what happened so similar tragedies can be prevented.”
Honourable Perry Trimper
Minister of Service NL

- 30 -

Learn more
Occupational Health and Safety Act: www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/o03.htm

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations: www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/regulations/rc120005.htm

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @ServiceNL_

Media contact
Gina MacArthur
Service NL
709-729-4748, 730-2977
GinaMacArthur@gov.nl.ca

 

2017 06 28                                                    3:40 p.m.