Worker struck in abdomen by cable that was not secured
Agrium has been fined nearly half a million dollars ($490,000) for an incident that left a worker with significant head and abdominal injuries at its Vanscoy, Sask. potash mine.
The incident occurred on Aug. 21, 2016. When a conveyor belt was started, a worker was struck in the abdomen by a cable that was not secured. This happened just two weeks after a worker was killed at the same mine.
Agrium (now known as Nutrien after a merger with PotashCorp) pleaded guilty to contravening clause 12(a) of the regulations (being an employer at a place of employment, failed in the provision and maintenance of plant, system of work and working environments that ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety and welfare at work of the employer’s workers, resulting in a serious injury to a worker).
The company was fined $350,000, plus a victim impact surcharge of $140,000, for a total of $490,000 in fines. One additional charge was withdrawn.
Crown prosecutors noted Agrium’s record of ignoring and contravening safety rules. The company had been issued notices of contravention 27 times since 2005.
“While this appears to be the largest fine in Saskatchewan history for workplace safety violations, it needs to be followed up with real action to hold Agrium accountable and ensure that there are no future lives lost or changed forever,” said Darrin Kruger, United Steelworkers staff representative and former president of USW Local 7552.
This writeup originally appeared in the December 2018/January 2019 issue of COS.
