Worker hit by front loader while 'not performing usual duties'
Irving Shipbuilding is facing five charges under Nova Scotia’s Occupational Health and Safety Act following the death of a worker, according to a report.
The incident occurred on Feb. 19, 2024, when 43-year-old worker Jamie Knight was “not performing his usual duties,” according to Sari Sairanen, executive assistant to the secretary-treasurer at Unifor.
“Instead, he was struck and killed by a front loader while it was clearing snowbanks at the shipyard,” Sairanen told Canadian Occupational Safety.
Now, Irving Shipbuilding is facing charges for the following, according to a CBC report:
- Failing to have a safe-work plan for snow removal, or to complete a risk assessment for hazards related to snow clearing;
- Failing to ensure the wheel loader was used in accordance with manufacturer specifications, or to designate a competent person as a signaller;
- Not conducting a risk assessment for workers heading to and from a hut where they could smoke.
The company was arraigned on the charges on Monday in Halifax provincial court, according to the CBC report.
The company has not yet entered pleas to the charges.
The death was a "tragedy that deeply saddened the Irving Shipbuilding community,” Mel Schori, a spokesperson for the company, told CBC via email.
"Health and safety is a core value of Irving Shipbuilding and the company has complied with relevant laws, regulations, and the investigation relating to this incident.”
Photo from Irving Shipbuilding’ Facebook page
