Great Lakes Power directors face safety charges

Provincial labour officials have thrown the book at Great Lakes Power (GLP) and the contractor who hired Lewis Wheelan to clear brush under the utility's transmission lines.

Three GLP directors and the Sault-based company's former chief executive officer face charges under Section 32 of Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, which holds corporate directors accountable for workplace safety.

Charged in connection with the accident that left Wheelan a triple amputee are:

- Former GLP chief executive officer Mike McEwen - GLP director Edward Kress - GLP director Harry Goldgut - GLP director Richard Legault - GLP supervisor Steve McClinchey - Neatsite Vegetation contractor Mike Piccolo - Crewman Brian Campbell

A court date of July 12 has been set in Sault Ste. Marie's Ontario Court of Justice.

Section 32 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires directors and officers of corporations to take "all reasonable care" to ensure that the company complies with the law.

To read the full text of the Act click here.

To access previous SooToday coverage of Wheelan's accident and recovery, click on any of the links below:

Lewis Wheelan's journey into hell Support for Lewis Wheelan grows, local trust fund closes Soo volunteers needed for Wheelan benefit Lewis Wheelan benefit set for April 26 in Soo Tickets go on sale today for Wheelan benefit Wheelan benefit moved to Memorial Gardens Sarah, Bob and Melanie Wheelan at Friday fundraiser Take from Wheelan benefit exceeds $25,000 New Great Lakes Power boss pledges Wheelan support

We're the Sault's only locally owned news source

To receive free, real-time E-mail updates of SooToday.com's exclusive coverage of local news, just send an Email with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line to [email protected].

This free service is provided courtesy of the community-minded businesses whose advertisements appear on these pages.