Northern Manitoba company accused of being unsafe
The charges were laid last month under the province's Workplace Safety and Health Act and include allegations that the mining giant did not provide a safe workplace at its operation in Thompson.
It's also alleged that the company did not have safe work procedures and had unsafe equipment.
Murray Nychyporuk, president of United Steelworkers Local 6166, says it's the first time the mine has been charged in connection with the death of a worker.
Greg Leason, who was 51, was operating a loader by himself in October 2011 when the father of two plunged several metres, along with his machine, into an open area.
Vale won't comment on the charges, but spokesman Ryan Land says a joint investigation by the company and the union into the accident came up with 21 recommendations to make the mine safer.
