Quebec company fined $100K after Timmins diamond drill worker injured

A Quebec-based company that provides drilling services to the mining industry has been fined $100,000 for a workplace injury that took place at Bell Creek Underground Mine in Timmins. (File)

A Quebec-based company that provides drilling services to the mining industry has been fined $100,000 for a workplace injury that took place at Bell Creek Underground Mine in Timmins.

Orbit Garant Drilling Services Inc., based in Val-d’Or, was contracted to provide diamond drilling services at the Bell Creek Underground Mine.

“On the day of the incident (Sept. 30, 2023), an assistant driller noticed that a water hose had gotten caught on the drill rod and tried to free it,” said a court bulletin from Ontario’s Ministry of Labour.

“At the same time, a driller, working outside a protective fence, rotated the drill, which injured the assistant driller. A Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development investigation determined that the drill rig had an exposed moving part that was not adequately guarded.”

Guard hadn’t been installed

While the guard had been ordered by the employer, it had yet to be installed.

The company failed to follow section 185(2) of Ontario Regulation 854: Mines and Mining Plants, contrary to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The company pleaded guilty in the Ontario Provincial Offences Court in Timmins and was fined $100,000.

The court also imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act.