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Great Lakes Power faces charges in electrical accident (6/02)

The Ministry of Labour has laid charges against Great Lakes Power (GLP) and some top executives under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for an accident near Sault Ste. Marie last year that crippled a university summer student.

The Ministry of Labour has laid charges against Great Lakes Power (GLP) and some top executives under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for an accident near Sault Ste. Marie last year that crippled a university summer student.

The ministry laid safety charges May 28 against former GLP president and CEO Mike McEwen and three directors serving as executive vice-presidents with parent company Brascan Corp. They will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in the Sault July 12, each charged with one count under Section 32 of the Safety Act. The regulation holds corporate leaders responsible for employee safety.

Also charged with five counts for failing to ensure reasonable precautions were taken for worker safety are Neat Site Vegetation, the firm hired to clear brush for the utility, a GLP supervisor, crewman and GLP Corp.

Summer student Lewis Wheelan suffered electrical burns resulting in the loss of his right arm, right shoulder and both legs, while allegedly clearing brush for a tree-trimming contractor working for GLP. A tree knocked down a power line resulting in Wheelan being electrocuted with 7,200 volts.

GLP and the family are working on a compensation package stemming from the accident.