Veolia Environmental Services and a division manager made their initial appearance in criminal court this morning on charges laid in connection with a fatal explosion and fire in October 2014.
The company and 44-year-old Anthony Lavoratore were repesented by legal counsel during their first criminal court appearance, each facing one count of criminal negligence causing death and five counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. The charges relate to a blast at Veolia's Scott Rd. plant that killed 37-year-old Jason Miller and seriously injured five others.
The matter has been put over to June 28 to review a lengthy amount of disclosure on criminal charges, environmental charges, and charges laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
October 25, 2014, a dust collection system outside the building exploded, damaging a section of cinder block wall and causing part of the roof to collapse.
It’s alleged the company did not cease the metalizing process at the workplace after being warned of hazards by its engineers and failed to ensure the dust collector was suitable for the process.