Company and supervisor charged in relation to fatal incident at Maritime Link worksite

Powertel Utilities Contractors Ltd. and a supervisor with the company have been charged in relation to a fatal accident that occurred at a Maritime Transmission Link worksite near Stephenville Crossing in January 2017.

Phil Parsons, 30, died in the industrial accident at Indian Head.

The charges were laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations as a result of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Division of Service NL.

The company has been charged with five violations which relate to its 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; and ensure that work procedures promote the safe interaction of workers and their work environment.

The supervisor, identified as Daniel Gillingham on the online docket for provincial court in Stephenville, has been charged with two violations that relate to alleged failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all workers under his supervision; and to advise workers under his supervision of the health and safety hazards that may be met at the workplace.

The first appearance for both is scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Stephenville court.