Five-figure penalty recommended for Horizon

Crown, defence argue health authority should pay $80K for Chalmers asbestos offences, suggest money should fund silica control tool for construction safety association's use

The prosecution and defence jointly recommended an $80,000 penalty for the Horizon Health Network for putting workers at risk of asbestos exposure at a Fredericton hospital.

But since the authority is an arm of the provincial government, instead of a fine, the parties proposed an alternate penalty instead: the purchase of an industry safety tool.

Regional Health Authority B, better known Horizon, previously pleaded guilty to two WorkSafeNB charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. over asbestos exposure risk at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital.