An Edmonton oilfield equipment supplier must pay $126,000 to a hospital foundation after a worker suffered serious injuries when struck by a projectile while disassembling drilling equipment.
TAQA Drilling Solutions Inc. pleaded guilty to one charge under Alberta’s occupational health and safety laws and was sentenced June 4 in Edmonton Court of Justice.
The incident occurred March 23, 2022, at a work site in Edmonton. A worker was taking apart oilfield drilling equipment when a projectile struck them, causing serious injuries.
The company pleaded guilty to failing to provide safeguards when a worker could come into contact with objects thrown by machinery or equipment, according to the occupational health and safety code. The Crown withdrew eight other charges.
Under Alberta’s creative sentencing option, the court ordered TAQA Drilling Solutions to pay the $126,000 penalty to the Glenrose Hospital Foundation for neuromodulation research at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act allows courts to direct funds that would normally be paid as fines to organizations or projects that improve or promote workplace health and safety.
Both the company and the Crown have 30 days from the sentencing date to appeal the conviction or penalties.
