Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Justice and Public Safety is facing occupational health and safety charges in relation to the drowning death of wildlife officer Howard Lavers.

Lavers died while on patrol in February 2013, after the snowmobile he was driving went through the ice on Eastern Blue Pond, south of Hawke's Bay, on the Northern Peninsula.

Two other wildlife officers were unable to rescue Lavers, and his body was later recovered from the body of water.

On Friday, Service NL announced three charges have been laid, following an "investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Branch of Service NL.

It is alleged that the department failed to provide necessary training; failed to ensure Lavers used protective clothing and devices; and failed to ensure certain work safe information was included in the OHS program.

Justice and Public Safety Minister Judy Manning issued a statement on Friday morning in response to the charges.

“The loss of Howard Lavers has had a deep impact on his family, friends and colleagues," the statement read, "He was a highly respected officer with the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division who was dedicated to protecting the province’s natural resources so that they could be enjoyed by his fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

"Howard’s death was a tragic incident that affected many.”

The case will be called in Port au Choix provincial court in March 2015.