Companies fined more than $1.2 million for fatal accident north of Fort McMurray

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Fort McMurray – Three companies will pay a $1.243 million fine after they are killed in a workplace accident north of Fort McMurray in July 2022.

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The incident occurred when a heavy equipment technician working at the Suncor base factory was hit by a piece of equipment lifted. The worker fell and died from injury.

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Suncor Energy pleaded guilty to failure to secure a sharp edge of lifting load to prevent damage to the rigging. The company was fined $495,000.

Joy Global (Canada) Ltd. was fined $374,000 after pleading guilty to ensure the health and safety of its workers and not ensure that workers are trained to choose the right softener for use with synthetic slings.

NCSG cranes and heavy transport services were also fined $374,000. The company acknowledged not ensuring repeated hazard assessments when introducing new work processes.

When they were sentenced on March 21 in Alberta Court in Fort McMurray, the three companies were also ordered to pay fare fines, including the victim’s fine surcharge.

The fine will be used for the University of Calgary, University of Alberta and Royal University. This funding will support research on rigging and advancement practices, develop tools for the industry, recommend standard practices and support research on Alberta Institute models.

vmcdermott@postmedia.com

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