The Diavik Diamond Mine has been fined CAN $125,000 (USD $92,000) following a preventable accident that left a worker with a severe hand injury.
The incident occurred while the worker was using a hose to clean a rock fill mixer, which is used to produce cement for filling excavated areas. The hose accidentally fell into the machine, pulling his left hand in as well. As a result, three of his fingers were amputated, although one finger was saved during surgery.
During the court proceedings at the Northwest Territories’ Territorial Court in Yellowknife, it was revealed that the machine lacked safety guards and measures to prevent access to its moving parts. Prosecutor Roger Shepard emphasized that the accident could have been avoided. He stated that instead of turning off the machine, it was allowed to run at a slow speed during the cleaning process.
Diavik, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, pleaded guilty to failing to implement and maintain safe work practices that protect worker health. In addition to the fine, the company must pay a 15 percent victim fine surcharge, totaling CAN $143,750 to be directed to the Workers’ Protection Fund.
