ⓒ The fictional New Brunswick Times
Two years after a power-line technician tragically lost his life, N.B. Power is facing serious consequences. Colin Hume, 47, died while working near Curryville following an ice storm. A fellow employee sustained critical injuries in the same incident. WorkSafeNB, after a thorough 18-month investigation, has filed five charges against the utility under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The charges highlight serious safety lapses. N.B. Power is accused of failing to provide adequate instructions and training for ice removal from power lines, neglecting to take necessary precautions to protect workers, and failing to establish proper procedures for transporting injured workers and providing essential first aid equipment at the worksite.
A spokesperson for N.B. Power, Dominic Couture, stated that the company has cooperated fully with WorkSafeNB’s investigation. However, he avoided detailing any specific safety improvements implemented since the accident, citing the ongoing court proceedings.
Mr. Couture emphasized the company’s commitment to employee safety, acknowledging the profound impact of the incident. N.B. Power has yet to enter a plea, and the case is scheduled for a future court date. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have significant implications for workplace safety standards within the utility sector in New Brunswick.
