Saskatchewan workplace accidents draw heavy fines for two companies

(File photo)

Fines totalling nearly $80,000 have been handed down in two separate occupational, health and safety cases in Saskatchewan, including one that involved the death of a worker.

Venture Construction Inc., pleaded guilty Dec. 2 in Meadow Lake provincial court for failing to provide a safe work environment and was fined $51,800, while four other counts were stayed.

The business was charged after a worker was killed by a lump of material that fell from a hopper bin near Peerless in September, 2013.

In the other case, Elswick Energy Ltd.. of Calgary pleaded guilty Nov. 10 and was fined $28,000 for failing to develop a written procedure for the safe use of a flammable substance that may spontaneously ignite.

A charge was laid after a worker suffered burns while reigniting a burner at an oilfield near Midale.

Two other charges were stayed.