News You Can Use: Agrium Fined $420,000 Over Worker’s Death
The 2010 death of an electrician at the Vanscoy potash mine in Saskatchewan has resulted in $420,000 in fines for Agrium Inc.
Agrium appeared in Saskatoon provincial court and pleaded guilty to failing to maintain a working environment that ensured workers’ health and safety. Edward Artic, 59, suffered a fatal head injury when part of a load being lifted let go.
An investigation found that the rigging practice being used at the time did not meet provincial regulations. There also weren’t enough employees around to safely lift objects and a freight elevator that could have handled the lift was frequently out o
f order.
Agrium Inc. has spent $3.6 million on renovations and new policies to improve safety since Artic was killed.
The company’s $300,000 fine and $120,000 victim fine surcharge are the maximum amounts that can be levied under Saskatchewan’s occupational health and safety regulations.
OSHA Issues Final Rule on Cranes and Derricks
Whether You Measure in Yards or Metres, One is the Magic Number
