Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): An Alberta-based oilfield services company has been ordered to pay a substantial penalty following a workplace incident that left a worker seriously injured during maintenance operations at a well servicing site near Slave Lake.
Apex Well Servicing (2010) Inc. pleaded guilty in the High Prairie Court of Justice to a violation of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code related to worker protection around hazardous equipment. The company admitted it failed to ensure adequate safeguards were in place to protect an employee from objects that could be ejected from machinery under pressure.
The case stems from an incident on February 5, 2024, when a worker was attempting to release compressed air from equipment by loosening a valve with a wrench. During the process, the valve unexpectedly detached and struck the worker, resulting in serious injuries.
Following an investigation, provincial authorities laid multiple charges against the company. As part of the court proceedings, Apex Well Servicing entered a guilty plea to one count, while six additional charges were withdrawn by the Crown.
The court imposed a financial penalty totaling $144,000, which includes the mandatory victim fine surcharge. The company and prosecutors retain the right to appeal the ruling or sentence within 30 days.
Workplace safety officials said the case highlights the importance of proper hazard controls when dealing with pressurized systems and heavy industrial equipment. Occupational health and safety regulations require employers to identify potential dangers and implement measures that reduce the risk of injury to workers.
Alberta’s OHS framework establishes safety standards across industries and places responsibility on employers to maintain safe working environments. Violations can lead to enforcement action, particularly in cases involving serious injuries or fatalities.
The incident serves as another reminder of the risks associated with oilfield operations and the need for strict adherence to workplace safety procedures to prevent avoidable accidents.
