Media Release: The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Lay Charges under the Nunavut Safety Act
Iqaluit, NU (August 30, 2019) – On August 28, 2019, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission filed six charges in the Nunavut Court of Justice under the Nunavut Safety Act.
Tower Arctic Limited are charged with multiple counts which allege various offences in violation of the Safety Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, including failing to:
- take all reasonable precautions and adopt and carry out all reasonable techniques and procedures to ensure the health and safety of every person;
- arrange for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances in a manner that protects the health and safety of workers;
- provide information, instruction, training and supervision that was necessary to protect the health and safety of workers;
- ensure that work being done was sufficiently and competently supervised;
- ensure that supervisors have completed an approved regulatory familiarization program;
- ensure that a worker was trained in matters necessary to protect the health and safety of workers at a work site.
The charges stem from an incident in the Municipality of Pond Inlet, Nunavut at the Tower Arctic Shop/Garage work site on September 19, 2018. A worker suffered serious injuries while using a hand held grinder to make cuts into the top of a metal barrel. Sparks from the grinder ignited chemical residue contained in the barrel causing an explosion.
The WSCC reminds all employers that their legislated worksite responsibilities include ensuring all workers and supervisors receive training, instruction and supervision necessary to ensure the safety of workers and the worksite, and to have and maintain an occupational health and safety program that is current and relevant to the potential hazards at their worksite.
The first court appearance in this matter is scheduled for September 9, 2019 in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Maggie Collins
Manager, Communications
T: (867) 920-3854
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.
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.