Charges laid against First Nickel, Taurus Drilling as Sudbury miners observe Day of Mourning
"What's important is that we don't forget," says United Steelworkers Local 6500 president
As workers commemorated a Day of Mourning for those who were killed and injured on the job, the Ministry of Labour charged two companies in connection with the deaths of two Sudbury miners.
Less than a year ago, Norm Bisaillon, 49, and Marc Methe, 34, died while on the job. They both worked as drillers at the Lockerby Mine in Sudbury.
Bisaillon was described as having more than 20 years of experience working underground.
Material fell in the mine after a seismic event in May 2014, killing the two men.
"What's important is that we don't forget, the families who lost their loved one and ensure the people they lost [were not lost] in vain," said Rick Bertrand, president of Sudbury's United Steelworkers Local 6500.
As contract workers who were not members of the union, Bisaillon and Methe's names were not read aloud at Tuesday's ceremony. But their families are being supported by representatives from Unifor.
Charges laid in worker's deaths
Also on Tuesday, the Ministry of Labour announced First Nickel and Taurus Drilling Services are charged with 13 offenses under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The ministry laid eight charges against First Nickel, including prevention of water accumulation that might endanger a worker as well as the examination of and remediation of misfiring explosives.
The ministry said Taurus Drilling Services is facing five charges. These charges relate to the reporting to the ministry on misfiring and defective explosives and the requirement of providing employees with proper illumination to assess ground conditions.
Neither company has commented on the charges.