Diavik Mine Fined $110,000 after Accident Blinds Worker
December 14, 22
(IDEX Online) - The Diavik Diamond Mine has been fined $110,000 (CA$150,000) by a court in Canada for a health and safety breach after an excavator operator was blinded in an accident.
Steve Houle, 50, was trapped for four hours in his cab after it was crushed by a slab of stone after a blasting operation in November 2020.
He suffered multiple injuries, lost his sight in both eyes and had a toe amputated.
Diavik, owned and managed by Rio Tinto, admitted one violation of the Mine Health and Safety Act at the Yellowknife courthouse, in Northwest Territories, after eight charges were withdrawn. It will also pay a $22,500 victim surcharge fine.
Pic courtesy Diavik