Co-op Refinery fined $280,000 over 2011 Regina fire
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 9:45 pmVictims disgusted, upset as Co-op Refinery fined $280,000 over 2011 Regina fire
[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatche ... -1.3071458 ]
2011 fire at Regina refinery injured 52
CBC News Posted: May 12, 2015 2:20 PM CT| Last Updated: May 12, 2015 5:42 PM CT
Workers injured in a fire five years ago at the Co-Op Refinery in Regina say they continue to suffer from the incident.
"I am constantly in fear of losing my life," Vasiharathas Subramaniyam, one of 52 workers hurt in the Oct. 6, 2011 fire and explosion, told a provincial court judge Tuesday during the sentencing phase related to the legal proceedings following the fire. "My life was put at risk [and] I still suffer from this incident."
The judge imposed a fine of $280,000 against Consumers' Co-operative Refineries Ltd, owner of the facility which is located on Regina's northeast end. The company had previously pleaded guilty to a contravention of the Occupation Health and Safety Act, admitting it failed to ensure all work was sufficiently and competently supervised.
During sentencing submissions, a number of victim impact statements were read in court from workers who said the Co-Op failed to visit them, follow up, or apologize over the incident.
"The truth is they have done nothing and that disgusts me," said Shawn Farrell, in a statement that was read into the record. "[I'm] astounded at the lack of human compassion."
Co-Op did submit a formal apology to the court Tuesday. The company's lawyer said a pipe linked to the explosion was installed in 1961 and was the wrong thickness. The lawyer said if it had been the correct thickness, it would have lasted until its scheduled replacement which was due in 2011-2012.
The fine, $200,000 for the infraction and $80,000 as a victim surcharge, was suggested by the lawyers and accepted by the judge. The company was given two months to pay.
Farrell told the court that he believes the fire was not an accident.
MORE:
[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatche ... -1.3071458 ]
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Consumers' Co-operative Refineries Limited Fined $280,000 for 2011 Explosion and Fire
[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... ries-fined ]
Released on May 12, 2015
On May 12, 2015, Consumers’ Co-operative Refineries Limited (CCRL) of Saskatoon, received a fine of $280,000 for a violation of occupational health and safety legislation.
CCRL pleaded guilty to contravening clause 17(a) of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 for failing to ensure that all work at a place of employment was sufficiently and competently supervised. Four other charges were withdrawn.
On October 6, 2011, an explosion and subsequent fire occurred at the CCRL refinery in Regina, injuring 52 workers; three of these workers sustained serious injuries. Officials with the Regina Fire and Protective Services, Emergency Management and Fire Safety, the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan and the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Division worked together to collect evidence needed for their respective assessments which included a determination of cause, origin and circumstance surrounding the incident.
Through OHS’s investigation, it was determined that CCRL failed to comply with occupational health and safety legislation and charges were laid against the company on July 31, 2013.
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety takes its responsibility for health and safety enforcement very seriously. The ministry works to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses by ensuring compliance with fair and balanced occupational health and safety standards through education, inspections, and where appropriate, prosecutions.
For more information about OHS prosecutions, please visit http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work. -30-
For more information, contact:
Laura McKnight
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0355
Email: laura.mcknight@gov.sk.ca
[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatche ... -1.3071458 ]
2011 fire at Regina refinery injured 52
CBC News Posted: May 12, 2015 2:20 PM CT| Last Updated: May 12, 2015 5:42 PM CT
Workers injured in a fire five years ago at the Co-Op Refinery in Regina say they continue to suffer from the incident.
"I am constantly in fear of losing my life," Vasiharathas Subramaniyam, one of 52 workers hurt in the Oct. 6, 2011 fire and explosion, told a provincial court judge Tuesday during the sentencing phase related to the legal proceedings following the fire. "My life was put at risk [and] I still suffer from this incident."
The judge imposed a fine of $280,000 against Consumers' Co-operative Refineries Ltd, owner of the facility which is located on Regina's northeast end. The company had previously pleaded guilty to a contravention of the Occupation Health and Safety Act, admitting it failed to ensure all work was sufficiently and competently supervised.
During sentencing submissions, a number of victim impact statements were read in court from workers who said the Co-Op failed to visit them, follow up, or apologize over the incident.
"The truth is they have done nothing and that disgusts me," said Shawn Farrell, in a statement that was read into the record. "[I'm] astounded at the lack of human compassion."
Co-Op did submit a formal apology to the court Tuesday. The company's lawyer said a pipe linked to the explosion was installed in 1961 and was the wrong thickness. The lawyer said if it had been the correct thickness, it would have lasted until its scheduled replacement which was due in 2011-2012.
The fine, $200,000 for the infraction and $80,000 as a victim surcharge, was suggested by the lawyers and accepted by the judge. The company was given two months to pay.
Farrell told the court that he believes the fire was not an accident.
MORE:
[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatche ... -1.3071458 ]
= = = = = = =
Consumers' Co-operative Refineries Limited Fined $280,000 for 2011 Explosion and Fire
[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... ries-fined ]
Released on May 12, 2015
On May 12, 2015, Consumers’ Co-operative Refineries Limited (CCRL) of Saskatoon, received a fine of $280,000 for a violation of occupational health and safety legislation.
CCRL pleaded guilty to contravening clause 17(a) of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 for failing to ensure that all work at a place of employment was sufficiently and competently supervised. Four other charges were withdrawn.
On October 6, 2011, an explosion and subsequent fire occurred at the CCRL refinery in Regina, injuring 52 workers; three of these workers sustained serious injuries. Officials with the Regina Fire and Protective Services, Emergency Management and Fire Safety, the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan and the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Division worked together to collect evidence needed for their respective assessments which included a determination of cause, origin and circumstance surrounding the incident.
Through OHS’s investigation, it was determined that CCRL failed to comply with occupational health and safety legislation and charges were laid against the company on July 31, 2013.
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety takes its responsibility for health and safety enforcement very seriously. The ministry works to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses by ensuring compliance with fair and balanced occupational health and safety standards through education, inspections, and where appropriate, prosecutions.
For more information about OHS prosecutions, please visit http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work. -30-
For more information, contact:
Laura McKnight
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0355
Email: laura.mcknight@gov.sk.ca