Richard Froese
South Peace News
Two oilfield companies have been penalized a combined $550,000 related to a workplace incident that killed two workers on a site southeast of Slave Lake in 2022.
Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. and Peace Pipefitting Inc. pleaded guilty to one charge under Occupational Health and Safety laws and were sentenced April 30 in the Slave Lake Court of Justice, says a provincial government news release May 8.
Charges stem from an incident that occurred on a site southeast of Slave Lake on Nov. 12, 2022. Two workers were cutting a large tank with torches when an explosion occurred.
Tamarack, as the primary contractor, pleaded guilty to one count under the OHS Act for failing to establish a system or process to ensure compliance with OHS laws.
The Crown withdrew 19 other counts.
Tamarack received a total penalty of $5Essen Mugford, left, and daughter Elwyn Mugford were one of many visitors at the Town of Peace River Fire Department booth at the Northern Connections Expo at the Baytex Energy Centre April 25-26. In the back are firefighters Kaleb Tolentino, left, and Shane Brady. Photo courtesy of Photo by Lori.50,000, including a $25,000 fine that includes the 20 per cent victim fine surcharge.
Under a creative sentence, the company was ordered to pay:
-$225,000 to CAREERS for welding and explosion safety awareness for high school students including virtual reality headsets, videos and scholarships.
-$150,000 to Energy Safety Canada for simultaneous operations guidelines/session and subsidized supervisor training.
-$100,000 to Threads of Life for young worker safety awareness and Alberta high school presentations, Speaker’s Bureau volunteer training, Family Forum and Alberta-based safety videos.
Peace Pipefitting, as a supervisor, pleaded guilty to one count under the OHS Act for failing to take all precautions necessary to protect the health and safety of workers.
The Crown withdrew four other counts.
The company received a total penalty of $50,000, including a $20,000 fine that includes the 20 per cent victim fine surcharge.
Under a creative sentence, the company was ordered to pay:
-$30,000 to Threads of Life for young worker safety awareness and Alberta high school presentations, Speaker’s Bureau volunteer training, Family Forum and Alberta-based safety videos.
The OHS Act provides a creative sentence option in which funds that would otherwise be paid as fines are directed to an organization or project to improve or promote workplace health and safety.
Both companies and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.
Equipment fabricator Voltegic Services Ltd., as an employer, is charged with 11 counts related to the incident and is scheduled to be sentenced May 28 in the Slave Lake Court of Justice.
Five counts against welding contractor 1282446 Alberta Ltd. as a supervisor, were stayed on July 17, 2024.