Case Law Summaries – Labour And Employment

MINES OPINACA LTÉE C. COMMISSION DES NORMES, DE L'ÉQUITÉ, DE LA SANTÉ ET DE LA SÉCURITÉ DU TRAVAIL DES NORMES, 2018 QCCS 4899

This decision was an appeal from a conviction under Québec's occupational health and safety regime. The appellant, Mines Opinaca ltée, operates a gold mine in Northern Québec. During the construction of the mine, the appellant installed fire doors in two underground mechanical workshops. During an inspection, an occupational health and safety inspector issued a correction notice requiring the appellant to install an automatic closing device on the fire doors within a specified timeframe.

Mines Opinaca complied with the requirement and installed an automatic closing system, but failed to comply with the time limit. In 2017, Mines Opinaca was convicted of violating provisions of the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety and the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety in mines.