OCI charged with 8 violations in connection with 2012 death

Ocean Choice International (OCI) has been charged with violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations in connection with the death of a worker onboard a shrimp trawler almost two years ago.

The fatal incident happened on board the Katsheshuk II while it was en route from the Funk Island Bank to Bay Roberts in February 2012.

A crew member, 25, died when a steel door closed on him as he was exiting a holding tank on the factory deck of the vessel.

The worker had just inspected the tank that had been previously cleaned by another crew member.

Ocean Choice is facing eight charges, which relate generally to its failure as an employer to provide a safe workplace and to provide training and supervision.

The company has also been charged with failure to ensure that powered equipment has controls positioned to prevent inadvertent activation, to ensure machinery is locked out prior to maintenance being conducted, and to ensure that a worker does not enter a confined space until the worker is qualified to do so, safety precautions are documented, and an attendant is in place.

OCI is scheduled to make its first appearance in provincial court in St. John's on Feb. 17.