Dick's Brook Bridge in Gros Morne National Park. Johnson's Construction of Corner Brook is facing charges under the province's Occupational Health and Safety Act in relation to a workplace accident during construction of the bridge in March 2020. - Gros Morne National ParkCORNER BROOK, N.L.
The swamp mat slipped from the end of the bridge girder and swung uncontrollably toward workers on the eastern side of Dick’s Brook and struck a worker, knocking him to the ground.Another worker was also involved, but it is not clear if he was struck by the injured man or the swamp mat. He did not suffer any injuries.
There was no written safe-work procedure for using a push-pull when launching a bridge girder. The defence said it was decided to use this to extend the reach of the excavator. The crane operator and excavator operator did not have experience with using a swamp mat for bridge launching or the procedure used that day.The Crown is suggesting the company be fined between $20,000 and $22,000 for each of the three charges, for a total fine of between $60,000 and $66,000.