Yellowknife, NT (May 29, 2018) – On April 24, 2018, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission filed five charges in the Northwest Territories’ Territorial Court under the Northwest Territories’ Safety Act.
The North West Company Inc. and the North West Company LP 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:
- provide information, instruction, training, and supervision that is necessary to protect the health and safety of workers by not ensuring that workers performing repairs on a worksite were trained in appropriate hazard assessment and safe work procedures for hazardous substances including asbestos and mould;
- ensure that supervisors had sufficient knowledge of the safe handling, use, storage, production and disposal of hazardous substances; and the need for, and safe use of, personal protective equipment, with respect to hazardous substances;
- ensure that supervisors had completed an approved regulatory familiarization program;
- identify and keep a written record of materials that the employer knew or could reasonably be expected to know were present at the worksite;
- develop and implement work procedures and processes that are as safe as is reasonably possible for the handling, use, storage, production and disposal of harmful or hazardous chemical or biological substances.
The alleged breaches stem from information gathered by WSCC Safety Officers during and after an inspection at the Northern Store in Fort Resolution.
The WSCC reminds all employers that their legislated work place responsibilities include ensuring all workers and supervisors receive training and instruction 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, including hazardous substances.
The first court appearance in this matter is scheduled for May 31, 2018, in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories.
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Maggie Collins
Manager, Communications
T: (867) 920-3854
TF: (800) 661-0792
Note:
This matter is now before the courts, so additional information available for release is limited.
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.