Nova Scotia Power fined in 2004 workplace death

Nova Scotia Power Inc. has been fined $43,000 for its role in the death of a worker at the Lingan generating station four years ago.

On Dec. 4, 2004, Alfred Joseph Wrice, 35,was working alone on a unit that delivers coal into bunkers when he fell into one of them. Hours later, he was found buried under four metres of coal.

In court Monday, Judge Anne Derrick ordered the power company to pay a $25,000 fine, $3,750 victim surcharge, and $15,000 for three sessions on fall prevention.

In handing down her sentence, Derrick noted there was conflicting testimony on the cause of death, the Cape Breton Post reported.

The court was told that Wrice died of asphyxia, but NSPIcontended that Wrice was epileptic andsufferedfromcoronary artery disease.

NSPI had pleaded guilty to one count under the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act of failing to protect against a fall.

The company has since installed grates over the slot openings.