Yellowknife, NT (May 23, 2017) – On May 10, 2017, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission filed nine charges in the Northwest Territories’ Territorial Court under the Northwest Territories’ Safety Act.
The multiple counts allege various offences of the Safety Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, including failure to provide information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to protect the health and safety of workers; failure to ensure that all workers are sufficiently and competently supervised; and failure to ensure that all supervisors complete an approved regulatory familiarization program.
Charged are Allen Services & Contracting Limited, and supervisor, Brian McCarthy, Sr.
The alleged breaches stem from an incident in which a worker was fatally injured at a work site, at an access road to the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility near Inuvik, Northwest Territories. The incident occurred on June 28, 2016.
The WSCC reminds all employers that their work place responsibilities include taking all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of all persons on their work site. Workers are also reminded of their responsibility to ensure their own safety, and the safety of other persons on the work site, as part of the Internal Responsibility System.
The first court appearance in this matter is scheduled for June 13, 2017 in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
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Kim Walker
Manager, Communications
T: (867) 920-3846
TF: (800) 661-0792
Note:
1. This matter is now before the courts, so additional information available for release is limited.
2. 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.