A Glovertown company has been charged with numerous violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act following the death of a worker two years ago.
Emmanuel Construction is facing nine charges stemming from the incident, which happened in October 2020 at a construction site in Terra Nova National Park.
Most of the charges involve the use of a guardrail and work platform.
It’s alleged that the company failed to ensure that an elevating work platform met the appropriate requirements. It should have been 1.22 meters above-grade, had guardrails on all open sides and ends that comply with regulations, that it would not move in any direction if struck, and that a guardrail has a toprail and a midrail.
The company is charged with failure to:
1. Provide a safe workplace and the necessary equipment, systems and tools that are without risk to workers;
2. Provide the information, instruction, training, supervision and facilities to ensure a safe workplace;
3. Ensure workers, and especially supervisors, are made familiar with the hazards;
4. Ensure that work procedures promote the safe interaction of workers and their work environment;
5. Ensure that a guardrail cannot move in any direction if it is struck;
6. Ensure that a guardrail has a toprail and a midrail;
7. Ensure that each machine and piece of equipment is selected, used and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, safe work practices, and the regulations;
8. Ensure a work platform 1.22 metres above grade has guardrails on all open sides and ends that comply with the guardrail requirements in the regulations; and
9. Ensure that an elevating work platform meets the requirements of the appropriate standard.
The company’s first appearance is scheduled for November 28 in provincial court.