Alberta-based O’Reilly Oilfield Services Ltd. has been fined $90,000 after pleading guilty to one count of failing to protect the health and safety of workers under its supervision. The sentence comes after a worker was severely burned by a fire in July 2021 at an oil and gas site near Valleyview, Alberta.
The incident occurred when liquid from a decommissioned pipeline ignited and overflowed from a portable flare stack. The Alberta government stated that the company failed to ensure the health and safety of its workers, leading to the severe injury of one employee.
As a result of the incident, the Crown withdrew five other charges against the company, as well as 15 occupational health and safety charges against Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. related to the same event. Both O’Reilly Oilfield Services and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.
