Failure to supervise, instruct and train workers cited
The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) has filed 16 charges of Mine Health & Safety Act violations against Nunavut-based Baffinland Mines Corporation.
The company failed to supervise, instruct and train their workers to ensure their health and safety, and to provide and maintain a healthy and safe work site.
The charges were filed for the death of a subcontracted employee who was operating a Cat 745C Articulated Truck on Dec. 16, 2018 at the Mary River Mine site, near the Hamlet of Pond Inlet in Nunavut.
“The WSCC reminds all employers that their legislated work site responsibilities include taking every reasonable measure and precaution to protect the health and safety of employees and all other people at the work site,” said the WSCC in a press release. “This includes making sure that all workers and supervisors receive the 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 mining company said it did an internal investigation after the incident and worked with police and the workers' safety commission on their investigations, according to Canadian media reports.
"Baffinland disagrees with the WSCC's assertion that it has breached the act and intends to vigorously defend itself," the company said.
The first court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9 in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
