AIM pleads not guilty to four workplace safety charges after worker’s death in Saint John
American Iron and Metal Inc. has pleaded not guilty to four charges stemming from a fatal workplace injury last summer in Saint John, N.B.
Darrell Richards, 60, died on July 1, 2022, after being injured the day before at AIM’s west-end scrapyard.
Following a WorksafeNB investigation, the Crown charged the company under the Workplace Safety Act earlier this year.
A lawyer representing the company entered not guilty pleas to the four charges Tuesday morning in the Saint John Law Courts. A pre-trial conference has been set for Oct. 23, with a three-day trial scheduled for early March 2024.
In an AIM news conference last summer, Richards’ daughter-in-law Krista Collins shared information about what happened in an attempt to stop rumours around the community. Collins said Richards’ leg was lacerated when a roll of paper decompressed after being cut.
“At 60 years old, he was not ready to go, he had a lot of life left to live,” said Collins, during the July 19, 2022 news conference. “Darrell would never put himself in harm's way. He was not the kind of person that would put himself in an unsafe work environment.”
During the same news conference, American Iron and Metal president Herbert Black defended against safety concerns, during an at times heated and emotional exchange with reporters.
“I don’t see what my facility could’ve done to prevent it at this juncture,” said Black.
When Black was asked who was responsible for safety at the Saint John facility he said, “You have to make a connection with the Lord and ask him. He decides. I’m not God.”
The crown’s first charge against AIM alleges the company didn’t take every reasonable precaution to ensure the health and safety of Richards.
The second charge alleges AIM failed to train Richards with any hazards in connection with the handling and disposal of equipment.
The third charge alleges the company did not provide the information necessary to ensure Richards’ health and safety.
The fourth charge alleges AIM did not ensure that work was competently supervised and that supervisors had sufficient knowledge in matters that are necessary to ensure the health and safety of the employees.
Each charge carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and/or a maximum of six months in jail.
With files from CTV's Alex MacIssac
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump's Madison Square Garden event features crude and racist insults
Donald Trump took the stage Sunday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden to deliver his campaign's closing argument with the election nine days away after several of his allies used crude and racist insults toward U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and other critics of the former president.
B.C. election results: Mail-in ballots heavily favour NDP, only absentee ballots left to count
The majority of mail-in ballots tallied this weekend for the final count in B.C.’s nail-bitingly close 2024 provincial election went to the NDP, increasing the party’s chances of clinching a third term.
Here's when you need to change your clock back
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
New polls show Sask. NDP leading over Sask. Party ahead of election day
A pair of new pre-election polls indicate that the Saskatchewan NDP has a slight lead ahead of election day.
17-year-old charged for driving 188 km/h on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Hollywood star Victor Garber gets emotional after surprise meeting with his former teacher in London, Ont.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
Another bumpy week ahead as Trudeau faces deadlines from Liberal MPs, Bloc
Another week, another raft of imminent challenges to Justin Trudeau's leadership of both the country and the Liberal Party.
He lost a finger and survived a kidnapping. Then, this climber took on a 9,000-foot 'death-trap'
With jaw-dropping big wall ascents and a life packed with adrenaline and adventure, climber Tommy Caldwell has had a career worthy of – and captured by – a feature film.
How to make sure your used clothes go to the right place – and not to organized crime
Giving away used clothes for a second life feels like an act of charity – and it often is. But it’s become more complicated. A W5 investigation has discovered allegations that organized crime players are muscling in on charities to access their donation bins.