Inquests and Fatality Inquiries: Managing the Process, Minimizing the Risk

A workplace fatality can lead to more than OHS compliance orders and prosecution. An inquest will be held for fatalities occurring at construction and mining sites, and may occur for fatalities occurring at other workplaces. These hearings are wide ranging, emotionally difficult inquiries into what went wrong and they almost always explore the prevention of future fatalities. Inquests frequently delve into deficiencies in the workplace and the practices of employers and other actors.

This webinar will provide insight into the unique inquest process, including strategies to manage this process, minimize negative publicity and avoid recommendations that could impact future functioning of the employer’s business. It’ll focus on advice to management and employers, constructors, prime contractors who may be affected. However, other workplace parties, such as joint health and safety committee members, may find this webinar of interest and assistance.

Cheryl A. Edwards is a former OHS Prosecutor and currently a Senior Partner in Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark’s OHS & Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. Cheryl has been repeatedly recognized as one of the leading OHS and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board lawyers in Canada. She has almost 30 years of experience representing and providing strategic advice to public and private sector employers, and to constructors, supervisors, officers and directors in relation to OHS regulatory trials, complaints, inquests and appeals. She’s also a former Director and OHS Sub-Committee Chair of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE).

 

 

Loretta M. Bouwmeester is a Partner at Mathews Dinsdale Clark LLP in their Employment, Labour, OHS and Workers’ Compensation practices. Loretta has defended employers and prime contractors in regulatory proceedings and appeared before all levels of Court in Alberta in addition to the Labour Relations Board. She’s effective in advising on national, provincial and federal OHS programs. Loretta has been listed as a leading OHS practitioner in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. She frequently speaks at professional conferences and in house training sessions.