An oil and gas exploration and development company has been penalized $312,500 in the death of a worker nearly three years ago. The employee died falling into a reservoir while obtaining water samples at a gas site west of Spirit River on Oct. 10, 2023. On Aug. 14 Birchcliff Energy Ltd. pleaded guilty in the Grande Prairie Court of Justice to one count of failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The remaining charges against the company were withdrawn. Under a creative sentence the court ordered the company to pay $200,000 to Energy Safety Canada to develop an industry awareness and training program focused on managing serious injury and fatality risks in surface water operations. The company was also ordered to pay $112,500 to Saddle Hills County Protective Services to develop surface ice water rescue training and support the purchase of ice water rescue equipment. The company and Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalty.
