Powertel Utilities Contractors Limited and one of its supervisors have new court dates set after being summonsed to Provincial Court for a first appearance on Monday.
Both have been charged with violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.
Powertel Utilities has its next court date set to Nov. 26. Disclosure is expected to be received by the St. John’s lawyer representing them by the end of the month.
Danny Gillingham, the supervisor who was charged, appeared in court and told Judge Lynn E. Cole he was in the process of obtaining a lawyer.
Judge Cole reminded him that these occupational health and safety charges are of a serious nature and strongly recommended that he get legal counsel to represent him before returning to court.
She set his next court date for Nov. 19.
The charges are in relation to an incident that occurred on Jan. 16, 2017, which resulted in fatal injuries to a worker, Philip Parsons from Stephenville, who was 30 years old.
A prepared release from Service NL said the charges are the result of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Division of Service NL.
The incident occurred at a worksite at Indian Head near Stephenville Crossing where a grounding site for the Maritime Transmission Link project was under construction.
The company has been charged with five violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, while the supervisor has been charged with two violations under the same act and regulations.
The charges:
The company - alleged failure to:
· Provide and maintain a safe workplace;
· Provide the necessary information, instruction, supervision and facilities to ensure the safety of workers;
· Ensure workers, and especially supervisors, are made aware of the hazards;
· Ensure that safe work procedures are followed;
· Ensure that work procedures promote the safe interaction of workers and their work environment.
The supervisor - alleged failure to:
· Ensure the health, safety and welfare of all workers under his supervision;
· Advise workers under his supervision of the health and safety hazards that may be met at the workplace.
