SASKATOON – A Saskatoon company and a shift boss have been fined in provincial court for safety violations that took place during a blast at a work site.
Claude Resources was charged with three violations under occupational health and safety legislation after a blasting operation on Jan. 22, 2010 at Laonil Lake, Sask.
The concussion from the blast knocked the shift boss, Steve Strickland, and another employee to the ground, injuring the employee. A third employee suffered a broken leg when a truck was pushed forward by the blast, pinning him to the wall.
Claude Resources pleaded guilty in court for failing to ensure that all work at a place of employment was sufficiently supervised and failing to ensure appropriate written procedures were provided to a worker who conducts a blasting operation to ensure the safety of workers in the area.
It also pleaded guilty for failing to ensure that only an approved blasting machine was used for a blast initiated by electrical means.
The company was fined a total of $24,500.
Strickland also pleaded guilty for failing to take reasonable care to protect his health and safety along with those of other workers affected by his acts or omissions.
He was fined $2,100.
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