Iqaluit, NU (September 8, 2016) – On July 26, 2016 the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission filed charges in the Nunavut Court of Justice under the Nunavut Safety Act.
The multiple counts allege various offences of the Safety Act, including failure to ensure adequate instruction to workers in the safe performance of their duties, and failure to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of persons in the establishment.
Employers, supervisors, and workers were charged, specifically: EllisDon Corporation, Kitnuna Projects Inc., Best Choice Construction (RB) Ltd., EXP Services Inc., Dan Cress, Abraham Leonard Houwelling, Justin McDonnell and Rod Osmond.
The alleged breaches stem from an incident in which a worker was injured while working at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station site at Cambridge Bay, Nunavut in August, 2015.
The WSCC reminds all employers that their worksite responsibilities include: providing a safe workplace; providing equipment and machinery that is in safe condition; hiring competent supervisors who ensure safe work procedures are followed; providing adequate job training; training workers on any potential hazards; and supplying personal protective equipment and ensuring workers know how to safely and properly use it.
The first court appearance in this matter is scheduled for September 19, 2016 in Cambridge Bay.
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Kim Walker
Manager, Communications
T: (867) 920-3846
TF: (800) 661-0792
Note:
This matter is now before the courts, so additional information available for release is limited.
The Safety Act, section 11, outlines requirements for confidentiality relating to what personal information the WSCC can release. The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act also states what personal information government bodies are permitted to release. Under these Acts, the WSCC is unable to disclose personal information or information that could reasonably identify an individual.