Iqaluit, NU (May 31, 2021) – On May 25, 2021, the Hamlet of Qikiqtarjuaq appeared in the Nunavut Court of Justice and was sentenced for an offence contrary to the Nunavut Safety Act.
The Hamlet pleaded guilty to one count of failing to comply with several WSCC directives regarding the inspection, maintenance and recertification of an aerial lifting device by a competent person.
The charge arose between the 15th and 16th of May, 2019 during a WSCC inspection of a Municipality of Qikiqtarjuaq work site where workers were observed unlawfully operating an aerial device lifting unit in contravention of a Stop Use Order. The same information also alleged failure to comply with outstanding directives related to the training of employees, the labelling of hazardous substances and the storage of compressed gas cylinders between 2016 and 2019.
At sentencing, the WSCC and the Hamlet of Qikiqtarjuaq presented a joint submission of 18 months “corporate probation” to the Court. This submission was accepted by Justice Tulloch of the Nunavut Court of Justice.
Under the terms of the probation, the Hamlet is required to report to the Chief Safety Officer about compliance with safety legislation and to develop and implement an ongoing training program for employees of the Municipality that includes mandated Fall Prevention Training and Supervisor Familiarization Training. This sentence permits the WSCC to monitor the Hamlet’s progress over an extended period of time and is an alternative to a monetary fine.
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Maggie Collins
Communications Manager
Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Northwest Territories and Nunavut
T: (867) 920-3854