SMS Equipment Inc. accused of having an unsafe environment
Charges have been filed against SMS Equipment Inc., one year after a tragic incident claimed the life of an employee at the Gahcho Kué diamond mine. The mine, a joint venture between De Beers Group and Mountain Province Diamonds, is located approximately 280 kilometers northwest of Yellowknife and has been in operation since 2016.
The deceased worker was employed by SMS Equipment Inc., a prominent heavy equipment dealer known for selling and servicing machinery in the construction, forestry, mining, and road maintenance sectors. It is the first death reported at the Gahcho Kué mine site.
SMS Equipment expressed its condolences and commitment to support the grieving family and coworkers during this challenging period in a statement issued shortly after the tragic incident occurred on September 1, 2022.
The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) filed seven charges on August 25, 2023, alleging violations of safety and mine health acts, including "failure to maintain an environment where staff are not likely to be endangered."
The WSCC, in a news release, stated the company "failed to take every reasonable measure to protect the health and safety of their employees, as well as other offenses." The charges are the result of a comprehensive investigation conducted by WSCC safety officers over several months.
The case is now set to proceed to court, with the first appearance scheduled for October 24 in Yellowknife. As legal proceedings are underway, the WSCC has refrained from providing further information or comments on the matter.
The tragic incident and subsequent charges serve as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe working environment for employees in hazardous industries, underscoring the need for stringent safety measures and compliance with mining regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.
