WorkSafeBC fines energy site for serious safety violation

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – WorkSafeBC has fined an energy services company worksite in Dawson Creek for a high-risk work safety violation. 

Copper Tip Energy Services Inc. was fined $4,627.59 on June 4th after a WorkSafeBC investigation prompted by a worker’s serious injury on the site.

The company was performing well stimulus operations, pumping nitrogen into a plugged gas well. The worker was injured while releasing pressure from the flow piping system during a leak test. 

During the investigation, WorkSafeBC found that the company ‘failed to ensure a flow piping that might exceed 2,000 kPa during well stimulation was operated by remote control.’

Additionally, WorkSafeBC found that the company had also failed to ensure that each piping system had an ‘engineered restraint system designed and manufactured to withstand the forces that could be encountered if the system failed.’

Both of these were considered high-risk violations, and WorkSafeBC determined the company had not ensured the safety and health of the workers present at the workplace.