Worker fell into reservoir
Birchcliff Energy Ltd. – an Alberta oil and gas company – must pay $312,500 after a worker died falling into a reservoir.
The employer pleaded guilty Aug. 14 in the Grande Prairie Court of Justice to one count under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.
The charge was for failing to ensure a worker's health and safety. All other charges against the company were withdrawn.
The court ordered a creative sentence, directing funds to safety initiatives instead of a standard fine. Both the company and the Crown have 30 days to appeal.
The fatal incident
The charge stemmed from an incident on Oct. 10, 2023, at a site west of Spirit River, Alberta.
A worker died after falling into a reservoir while collecting water samples, according to the government.
The release did not disclose the worker's identity or the specific safety failures underlying the charge.
Creative sentence funding
Of the total, $200,000 will go to Energy Safety Canada to develop training on managing fatality risks in surface water operations.
The remaining $112,500 will go to Saddle Hills County Protective Services for ice water rescue training and equipment.
Victim fine surcharges, which apply to fines paid to the Crown, do not apply to these creative-sentence payments.
