SUDBURY– United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6500 has reached an agreement with Vale to conduct a joint union-company investigation into the April 6 workplace death of USW member Paul Rochette.
“We remain deeply saddened and shaken by Paul Rochette’s death and the serious injuries suffered by another of our members at the Copper Cliff Smelter,” said Local 6500 President Rick Bertrand.
“We have a responsibility to the grieving families, to our members and to our community to do everything we can to determine why this tragedy occurred and what must be done to ensure nothing similar happens again,” Bertrand said.
“We have always believed that workplace deaths and injuries require comprehensive, co-operative and unrestricted joint investigations,” he said. “We are anxious to begin this joint investigation as soon as possible.”
“The USW and Vale have agreed to full co-operation in the joint investigation into the tragedy,” Bertrand said.
Health and safety investigators for the union and company will have access to documents, records, employee and staff interviews and other information, he said.
Health and safety representatives for the union and the company are prepared to launch the investigation, which will begin in full once the Ontario Ministry of Labour grants access to the site of Sunday’s fatality.
