Death of mill worker Bill Russell among those to be discussed in proceedings
The New Brunswick government has set the date for the inquest proceedings that will delve into the details around the death of two workers in the workplace.
An inquest into the death of William “Bill” Russell has been scheduled for Dec. 4-5 at Marysville Place, 20 McGloin St., Fredericton, according to the province’s Office of the Chief Coroner.
Russell died on Feb. 11, 2021, days after he got in an accident while working at a woodland operation.
Presiding coroner Emily Caissy and a jury will publicly hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding this death.
Russell was 51 years old when he died, according to a CBC report. He was a father of three and a grandfather of one, according to the report, citing his obituary.
Marwood Ltd. previously pleaded guilty to "failing to ensure the safety of their employees working on, with, or around a conveyor" in connection with Russell's death, WorkSafeNB spokesperson Laragh Dooley, said in the CBC report.
WorkSafeNB recommended the charge be laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act following an investigation, she said.
In December 2021, the company was ordered to pay a fine of $85,000 plus a victim surcharge of $17,000, according to the report.
Recently, Northern Alberta lumber company La Crete Sawmills Ltd. was tasked to pay a $295,000 creative sentence after one of its workers died in the workplace.
New Brunswick’s Office of the Chief Coroner also announced that an inquest into the death of Daniel Moore will be held Dec. 6-7 at Marysville Place, 20 McGloin St., Fredericton.
Moore died on July 10, 2021, after falling off a roof while at work.
Presiding coroner Sarah Barnett and a jury will publicly hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding Moore’s death.
While the jury in the inquest proceedings will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances, the New Brunswick Coroner Service is an independent fact-finding agency that may not make any finding of legal responsibility.
In August, a worker lost his life in a workplace accident at a construction site located on Ulysse Drive in Dieppe, and the incident prompted an immediate investigation by WorkSafeNB.
