Richard Froese
South Peace News
A oilfield company has been fined for an injury at a worksite near Valleyview three years ago.
O’Reilly Oilfield Services Ltd. has been fined $90,000 inclusive of the 20 per cent victim fine surcharge, says a provincial government news release Oct. 10.
O’Reilly pleaded guilty to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to take necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of workers under supervision.
The company was sentenced Oct. 7 in the Grande Prairie Court of Justice.
Charges stem from an incident on an oil and gas site near Valleyview on July 7, 2021.
One worker was severely burned when liquid from a decommissioned pipeline ignited and overflowed from a portable flare stack.
Five other charges against O’Reilly were withdrawn by the Crown.
The Crown also withdrew 15 charges under OHS legislation against Canadian Natural Resources Ltd, related to the same incident.
Both the company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.
Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province.
They provide guidance for employers to help them ensure their workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible while providing rights and protection for workers.
Charges under OHS may be laid when failing to follow the rules results in a workplace fatality or serious injury.