WSCC lays asbestos charges on Iqaluit hospital contractor

A company that worked on the renovations of the old wing of Iqaluit's Qikiqtani General Hospital is facing charges under Nunavut's Safety Act.

Edmonton-based Arctic Environmental Services was one of the subcontractors tasked with removing asbestos.

It’s charged with six counts by the Worker's Safety and Compensation Commission.

The Commission alleges the company endangered the health of its workers in January 2013.

“The majority of the hazardous material work has been completed,” said Paul Mulak, director of program management with Nunavut's Department of Community and Government Services.

“The only work that may not have been completed is materials that are completely covered in existing parts of the building, which will be dealt with as it comes about during the balance of the construction."

Work stalled on the old hospital wing last May after the general contractor, NCC Dowland, ran out of money and workers walked off site.

Renovations are now set to resume next month.

Quinan Construction Limited will now complete the $36-million renovation project.

The Ontario-based company has done 28 hospital renovations.

Mulak says building materials were shipped up by sealift last summer in order to minimize further delays.

The 2,700-square-metre renovation will feature a new entrance, elevator, cafeteria, clinics, offices and two additions to the building.