Three companies have been collectively penalized $1.2 million under occupational health and safety (OHS) laws in connection with a 2022 workplace fatality.
Joy Global (Canada) Ltd., NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Services Ltd., and Suncor Energy Services Inc. each pleaded guilty to a charge under OHS regulations and were sentenced on March 21 in the Fort McMurray Court of Justice.
Joy Global (Canada) Ltd., a mining equipment company, admitted to failing to ensure worker health and safety, resulting in a $374,000 penalty under a creative sentence. The Crown withdrew 12 other counts against the company.
NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Services Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing to conduct a repeated hazard assessment when a new work process was introduced.
The company was also fined $374,000 under a creative sentence, with the Crown withdrawing seven other counts.
Suncor Energy Services Inc. was penalized $495,000 after pleading guilty to failing to ensure sharp edges on hoisted loads were guarded to prevent rigging damage. Ten other counts against the company were withdrawn.
The $1.243 million collected through creative sentencing will fund research at the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, and Mount Royal University.
These funds will support studies on rigging and hoisting practices, the development of industry tools, recommendations for standard practices, and the establishment of an OHS research institute model for Alberta.
In addition to the creative sentences, each company was fined $1,000, including the victim fine surcharge.
OHS laws in Alberta establish safety standards for workplaces and outline employer responsibilities to maintain safe environments. Charges under these laws may be pursued when non-compliance leads to workplace fatalities or serious injuries. Companies and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the convictions or penalties.
The charges stem from a July 7, 2022, incident near Fort McMurray, where a worker died after being struck by a piece of equipment that fell from a crane.