SaskPower fined $840,000 regarding the death of two Weyburn employees

SaskPower was found guilty on three charges related to workplace safety violations.

This is regarding the death of two of its Weyburn employees in October 2020.

The three charges are:

• Count 1: $300,000 fine and $120,000 surcharge for failure to maintain safety and standards resulting in deaths of workers.
• Count 2: $150,000 fine and $60,000 surcharge for failure to provide info/instruction/training to protect the health and safety of workers.
• Count 3: $150,000 fine and $60,000 surcharge for requiring or permitting workers to work on aerial/elevating equipment without proper safety equipment.

The total fine is $840,000.

According to University of Regina professor Sean Tucker, this is the highest fine in Saskatchewan and the second highest in Canada.

The incident occurred on Oct. 8, 2020, around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Government Road South and Sixth Avenue Southeast.

Officers who arrived at the scene found a 51-year-old man dead and a 40-year-old man seriously injured.

Police say the 40-year-old was sent to hospital but later died.

The Crown corporation reported the deaths that evening.

“A serious safety incident involving two SaskPower employees occurred. Both individuals have died as a result of their injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and coworkers,” a statement read.

William Campbell, the business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2067, said from what he has been told, the men were doing routine maintenance when there was an equipment failure and both men fell from the bucket of the truck.

He said counselling  was provided to staff who were mourning the loss of the two senior staff members.

“These are long-term members (who died) so we know them,” he said. “We know the people they work with and we’ll be going out to support them and their families in various ways. It’s like when you lose a brother or sister.”