Workplace hazards lead to $16k penalty for Tourmaline Oil

WONOWON, B.C. – Canada’s largest producer of natural gas is facing more than $16,000 in fines from WorkSafeBC.

According to the provincial agency, Tourmaline Oil was fined $16,768 on February 7th, for workplace violations at its industrial camp in Wonowon.

Inspectors reportedly found multiple issues at the campsite, which is maintained by an external subcontracted company, including buildings with uneven and rotted floors, fire doors and firebreaks not working properly, and untreated sewage beneath workers’ dorms.

Per the penalty, WorkSafeBC determined Tourmaline Oil had failed to “establish and maintain a system of regulatory compliance” and also failed to keep up-to-date written first aid procedures on the worksite.

Those were both reportedly repeated violations.

“Furthermore, as owner of a workplace,” the penalty reads, “[Tourmaline Oil] failed to provide and maintain the land and premises to ensure the health and safety of people at or near the workplace.”

Energeticcity.ca has reached out to WorkSafeBC for a copy of the inspection notes, and to Tourmaline Oil for comment.