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By Tanner Smith
Workplace fatalities

Two Peace region oilfield companies sentenced for worksite explosion

May 8, 2025 | 2:30 PM

Two Peace region oilfield companies pleaded guilty to one charge each under Occupational Health and Safety laws in Slave Lake court on April 30.

Tamarack Valley Energy and Peace Pipefitting’s charges stemmed from November 2022, when two workers were cutting a large tank with torches when an explosion occurred. Both workers were killed.

As a result, Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. has been given penalties that amount to $500,000 after pleading guilty to one count under the OHS Act, “for failing to establish a system or process to ensure compliance with OHS laws.” The Crown withdrew 19 other charges.

Under what a release form the province calls a “creative sentence,” a $25,000 fine, “that includes the 20 per cent victim fine surcharge” was included, as well as an order to use part of the fine to improve workplace safety:

  • $225,000 to CAREERS for welding and explosion safety awareness for high school students including virtual reality headsets, videos and scholarships.
  • $150,000 to Energy Safety Canada for simultaneous operations guideline/session and subsidized supervisor training.
  • $100,000 to Threads of Life for young worker safety awareness and Alberta high school presentations, Speaker’s Bureau volunteer training, Family Forum and Alberta-based safety videos.

Additionally, Peace Pipefitting Inc. was fined $50,000 for their role as on-site supervisor.

This fine also has a “$20,000 fine that includes the 20 per cent victim fine surcharge,” and similar to Tamarack Valley; “$30,000 to Threads of Life for young worker safety awareness and Alberta high school presentations, Speaker’s Bureau volunteer training, Family Forum and Alberta-based safety videos.”

Both Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. and Peace Pipefitting Inc., as well as the Crown, have 30 days to appeal the convictions.

Equipment fabricator Voltegic Energy Services Ltd. also had eleven charges laid due to this incident, and is scheduled to be in court May 28 in Slave Lake .

Five charges against the welding contractor, 1282446 Alberta Ltd, as a supervisor, were stayed on July 17, 2024.

by Tanner Smith