Yellowknife, NT (March 28, 2023) – On March 24, 2023, Arctic Canada Construction Ltd. (ARCAN) appeared in the Northwest Territories’ Territorial Court in Yellowknife and entered a guilty plea to an offence under the Safety Act.
ARCAN pleaded guilty to a single count that it “did fail to take all reasonable precautions and adopt and carry out all reasonable techniques and procedures, to ensure the health and safety of every person in its establishment”, contrary to the Safety Act. They were issued a fine in the amount $20,000 to be paid to the Workers’ Protection Fund, plus a 15% Victim Fine Surcharge.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on April 22, 2021 at a worksite in Fort Simpson. Two workers were using a telehandler with a man basket to maneuver a handrail for a staircase. The telehandler was equipped with outriggers for the purposes of stabilization, but they were not engaged. As the basket was raised, the telehandler became unbalanced and hit the ground. This caused injury to the worker who was thrown from the basket onto the ground.

On April 19, 2022, following an investigation, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) originally laid seven charges against ARCAN. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the remaining six charges were withdrawn.

Sarah McLeod
Manager, Communications
T: (867) 920-3854