Syncrude Canada Ltd. has entered a guilty plea to a single charge under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) following a 2021 incident that resulted in the death of a worker. The Fort McMurray Court of Justice processed the plea on April 4, with four other charges under the OHS legislation being withdrawn.
The case stems from a June 6, 2021, accident near Fort McKay where a worker drowned after the bank supporting his excavator slumped into water, submerging the cab. In a unique legal maneuver, instead of paying a traditional fine, Syncrude will contribute $390,000 to safety training and development. This fund will be distributed among the David and Joan Lynch School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management, the UAlberta Geotechnical Centre, and the Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association.
The allocated funds are earmarked for the creation of an employer best-practice guide and a mobile app designed for trenching, excavation, and related activities. These resources aim to provide real-time training, work planning, and decision support to improve workplace safety practices.
The OHS Act includes provisions for what is termed a “creative sentence,” which allows for fines to be redirected towards initiatives that enhance workplace health and safety standards. Both Syncrude and the Crown reserve the right to appeal the conviction or the sentencing within a 30-day period following the decision.
Alberta’s occupational health and safety laws are designed to establish essential guidelines for maintaining safe work environments across the province, offering both directives for employers and protections for workers. Incidents that result in severe injuries or fatalities can lead to charges if there is a failure to adhere to these regulations.