Two Alberta oilfield companies have been ordered to pay $550,000 in penalties following a workplace explosion that killed two workers near Slave Lake in 2022.
Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. and Peace Pipefitting Inc. each pleaded guilty to one charge under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act at the Slave Lake Court of Justice on April 30.
The fatal incident occurred on November 12, 2022, when two workers were cutting a large tank with torches at a site southeast of Slave Lake, triggering an explosion that claimed both their lives.
Creative sentencing directs funds to safety programs
Tamarack Valley Energy, as prime contractor, admitted to failing to establish a system to ensure compliance with OHS laws. The company received a $500,000 penalty, including a $25,000 fine with victim surcharge, while 19 other charges were withdrawn.
The majority of Tamarack’s penalty will fund safety initiatives through creative sentencing, including:
- $225,000 to CAREERS for welding and explosion safety awareness programs for high school students
- $150,000 to Energy Safety Canada for operational guidelines and subsidized supervisor training
- $100,000 to Threads of Life for young worker safety awareness and Alberta school presentations
Peace Pipefitting Inc., charged as a supervisor, pleaded guilty to failing to take necessary precautions to protect worker health and safety. The company received a $50,000 penalty, including a $20,000 fine with victim surcharge, while four other charges were withdrawn.
The remainder of Peace Pipefitting’s penalty will provide $30,000 to Threads of Life for youth safety awareness programs and training.
Additional case proceedings ongoing
Both companies and the Crown have 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.
Equipment fabricator Voltegic Energy Services Ltd. faces 11 counts related to the incident and is scheduled for sentencing May 28 in Slave Lake Court of Justice. Charges against welding contractor 1282446 Alberta Ltd. were stayed on July 17, 2024.
