13 health and safety charges laid against First Nickel Inc., Taurus Drilling

A total of 13 charges have been laid against First Nickel Inc. and Taurus Drilling Services in relation to the deaths of two men at Lockerby Mine in Sudbury last year.

In May 2014, Norm Bisaillon, 49, along with fellow contract worker, Marc Methe, 34, were killed while working underground.

According to the company, the men died after a fall of material that was preceded by seismic activity.

Today, the Ministry of Labour said eight charges were laid against First Nickel under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act in relation to:

• prevention of water accumulation or flow of water that might endanger a worker
• ensuring an effective ground support system is installed
• requirement that a report be made in writing of all dangerous conditions
• the examination of and remediation of misfiring explosives
• the reporting to the Ministry of Labour of misfiring or defective explosives
• the requirement of safe ground conditions programs to be created and implemented
• communications regarding ground stability
• proper illumination adequate to assess ground conditions

The ministry said five charges have been laid against Taurus Drilling Services in relation to:

• the reporting to the Ministry of Labour of misfiring and defective explosives
• the requirement of safe ground conditions programs to be created and implemented
• communications regarding ground stability
• the requirement of proper illumination adequate to assess ground conditions