$1.2 million in fines laid after worker killed by falling equipment in Fort McMurray

Three companies have been fined a total of $1.2 million in the death of a worker at a Suncor site.

Three companies have been fined a total of $1.2 million by Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in connection with the death of a worker on July 7, 2022.

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The fines stem from charges resulting from an incident on a work site near Fort McMurray, where a worker was killed by a piece of equipment that fell from a crane.

Joy Global (Canada) Ltd., NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Services Ltd. and Suncor Energy Services Inc. were all sentenced on March 21 in the Fort McMurray Court of Justice.

Joy Global pleaded guilty to one count of failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker.

NCSG Crane and Suncor both pleaded guilty to one count each under OHS code, for violations regarding a hazard assessment and failure to guard sharp edges on loads being hoisted, respectively.

The Crown withdrew a total of 29 other charges.

The OHS Act allows for creative sentencing where funds paid as fines are given to organizations to improve or promote workplace health and safety.

The combined $1.2 million in sentence funds will go to the University of Calgary, University of Alberta and Mount Royal University for research on rigging and hoisting practices, among other things.

Each company was also fined $1,000, including the victim fine surcharge.

Investigations into workplace fatalities are posted on the Government of Alberta website 60 to 90 days after all court proceedings have finished.