CHARGES LAID IN PCS LANIGAN WORKPLACE FATALITY

Released on January 7, 2010

The Ministry of Justice and Attorney General has laid charges against Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PCS) and supervisor Garth Gudnason for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Legislation violations related to the September 2008 death of worker Robert Tkach.

PCS is charged with:

• contravening sections 4(a) and 61 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failure of its supervisor to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of a worker;
• contravening section 3(a) of the Act for failure to ensure that the health, safety and welfare at work of all the employer's workers;
• contravening section 17(1)(a) of the OHS Regulations for failure to ensure that all work is sufficiently and competently supervised; 
• contravening section 17(1)(c) of the OHS regulations for failure to ensure that a supervisor complies with the OHS Act and regulations; and
• contravening section 25(2) of the Mines Regulations for failure to ensure a direct supervisor record all significant information relevant to the health and safety of a worker.

Supervisor Garth Gudnason is charged with contravening section 4(a) of the Act for failure to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of a worker who may be affected by his acts or omissions.

The charges were the result of the investigation by Occupational Health Officers into the death of Robert Tkach, who died while working at the Lanigan potash mine.

OHS conducts approximately 4,000 workplace inspections annually and provides training to more than 4,000 employer and worker representatives each year on their safety responsibilities.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Lisa Danyluk
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7791