The Ministry of Labour has issued orders to Resolute Forest Products as it investigates a jobsite fatality at its Ignace sawmill on Tuesday.
Two orders were issued to Resolute after inspectors attended the scene, the ministry confirmed Thursday. A representative said the ministry could not yet provide further details on those orders as its investigation is ongoing.
The ministry identified the employer of the deceased worker as Atikokan-based Tramin Industrial, a contractor providing trades services to industry in the region.
Resolute said operations at the Ignace sawmill would be suspended for several days.
In a letter sent to employees on Wednesday, Resolute CEO Remi Lalonde said the company will cooperate fully with the ministry’s investigation but could not yet address the circumstances behind the incident.
“We are determined to get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible, and then take immediate corrective action across all our sites, as appropriate,” he said.
The company had contracted additional support and counselling services for workers in Ignace, Lalonde said.
“The death of a worker is the realization of our worst fears,” he wrote. “As we work our way through this tragedy, we are focused on providing all necessary support to the victim’s family, as well as to our workers and their families.”
He added that Resolute’s executive team would visit the Ignace sawmill this week.
