Both companies schedule to appear in court Next month
Braya Renewable Fuels (Newfoundland) GP Inc. and Lorneville Mechanical Contractors have pleaded guilty to occupational health and safety violations in connection with the fatal 2022 explosion at the Come By Chance refinery in Newfoundland and Labrador.
On Tuesday, Braya admitted to one count of failing to ensure safe work procedures were followed, while nine other charges were conditionally withdrawn by the Crown, according to a CBC report. Meanwhile, Lorneville Mechanical Contractors pleaded guilty to a similar count, with two additional charges withdrawn.
Judge Mark Pike accepted the pleas, which came just before a scheduled 21-day trial was set to begin.
The employer and the contractor were charged in 2024 for the explosion that resulted in eight serious injuries and the eventual death of Shawn Peddle, 47, from Clarenville. Peddle died in hospital six weeks after the explosion. Last month, Braya and Lorneville entered not guilty pleas to occupational health and safety charges stemming from the fatal explosion.
The case will return to provincial court in Clarenville next month for sentencing and the presentation of victim impact statements.
Crown prosecutor Shawn Patten told the court: “There’s going to actually be a few more victim impact statements than I anticipated,” according to the CBC report.
Proceedings for Braya are scheduled for Nov. 18, with Lorneville’s hearing set for Nov. 19.
Three different divisions of the provincial government were been involved in the investigation of the Come By Chance incident.
