Parry Roger management

- management -

There is always the danger that when so many are implicated and bear some degree of responsibility the principal focus may be somewhat diminished by the sheer multiplicity of defaults. The internal responsibility system merely articulates this responsibility and places it in context. Westray management failed in this primary responsibility, and the significance of that failure cannot be mitigated or diluted simply because others were derelict in their responsibility. Indeed, the many and varied faults of Westray management and its derelict attitude towards safety should have prompted the Department of Labour inspectorate to adopt a firm and uncompromising position on strict compliance. Instead, the evidence indicates that the demeanour of the inspectorate was one of apathy and complaisance.

The record shows that the inspectorate did little to monitor compliance with the training proposals. They went into the mine with little or no safety orientation. Notwithstanding the legislative requirement and the fact that management was cognizant of the hazard, management failed to order and enforce sufficient and systematic stonedusting underground at Westray. Management focused only on those safety issues, such as ground control, that directly interfered with immediate production of coal. Management's drive to produce and its failure to advocate safety in the workplace rendered any harmonization of production and safety difficult.

The stay of proceedings was appealed by the prosecution and the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and ordered a new trial. The ruling of the Appeal Court was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada and the prosecution is currently preparing for the new trial of mine manger Gerald Phillips and underground manager Roger Parry. " Report The many instances of hazardous and illegal practices encouraged or condoned by Westray management demonstrate its failure to fulfil its legislated responsibility to provide a safe work environment for its workforce. Management avoided any safety ethic and apparently did so out of concern for production imperatives. The evidence before this Inquiry compels but one conclusion -- the Westray operation defied the fundamental rules and principles of safe mining practice.