Companies, supervisor fined $216,000 after workplace injury

An oil and gas company, an engineering firm and a supervisor were collectively penalized $216,000 following a serious workplace injury at an oil and gas site near Edson.

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The incident occurred on March 21, 2024, during a well abandonment process when a worker using a torch to cut a wellhead casing was struck and seriously injured after the wellhead dislodged.

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On Dec. 11, the three parties pleaded guilty to occupational health and safety (OHS) charges in the Edson Court of Justice.

Canlin Resource Partnership, the prime contractor, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure an employer on the work site was informed of existing or potential hazards. Seven other counts were withdrawn. Ulysses Engineering Inc., as a contracting employer, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure work site parties were informed of existing or potential hazards. Two other charges were withdrawn. Supervisor Matthew Morris pleaded guilty to failing to take necessary precautions to protect a worker under his supervision. Three other charges were withdrawn.

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Canlin was ordered under a creative sentence to pay $116,000 to Red Deer Polytechnic to develop training on the safe use of oxy-acetylene torch systems, aimed at students and underrepresented groups in the trades. Ulysses Engineering Inc., was fined $75,000, and placed under two years of enhanced regulatory supervision. Morris was fined $25,000, and placed under 1 1/2 years of enhanced regulatory supervision. Both fines include victim fine surcharges.

The Crown and the work site parties have 30 days to appeal the convictions or penalties.

mtaylor@postmedia.com

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