Construction company denies safety violations in worksite death
WorkSafe New Brunswick found New View Designs by Laurie Cole Inc. failed to properly erect scaffolding, among other violations
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A Fredericton construction company is denying workplace safety violations in the death of an on-site supervisor, who fell from scaffolding and died on Dec. 6, 2021.
New View Designs by Laurie Cole Inc. is facing three counts that it violated the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act by failing to ensure a metal scaffold was put up according to manufacturer specifications.
Other charges include failing to ensure a metal scaffold over six metres high has a continuous access stairway from ground level, and failing to provide instruction necessary to keep employees safe.
Those charges dates to December 2021 in Fredericton, according to court documents.
The St. Mary’s Street company entered a not guilty plea in Provincial Court last week before Judge Mélanie Poirier LeBlanc.
Lynn Meahan-Carson, corporate communications manager for WorkSafe New Brunswick, said the company reported the incident immediately, and a WorkSafeNB health and safety officer arrived at the site on Fredericton’s north side to investigate within an hour of the call.
“WorkSafeNB sought Crown approval on these charges, with the investigation concluding there were multiple deficiencies in the scaffolding used on the worksite, including missing guardrails, that were contrary to legislation and contributed to the fatality,” she said by email.
Meahan-Carson said investigations involving a fatality are considered “complex,” and so can take a year or more to finish.
“The process involves thorough examination of the incident site, witness statements, examination of any machinery or equipment, personal protective equipment present, work procedures and whether the worker(s) received adequate training and supervision,” she said.
“The investigation took time with further information required from both the employer and the scaffolding manufacturer, which was not readily available.”
Brunswick News reached out to New View Designs by Laurie Cole Inc. but has yet to hear back.
The matter is scheduled to return to court on April 18 for a case management conference.
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