Dawson Creek companies fined after explosion injures two workers

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — WorkSafeBC has issued heavy fines on two Dawson Creek energy companies after an explosion at an oil and gas facility. 

Secure Energy Inc. was fined over $42,000 on October 3rd, 2024, after the incident occurred inside a shaker building, injuring two welders.

After investigating the site, WorkSafeBC says the company failed to ensure the health and safety of all workers, analyze the risks of the work activities, and implement safe work procedures regarding hot work.

“The firm also failed to have a qualified person conduct tests to ensure the safety of workers before welding near flammable or explosive substances,” WorkSafeBC‘s report reads.

A smaller fine was also issued against Key Energy Ltd. after determining “that welding work had been conducted directly above a shaker fluid tank, which had the potential to contain flammable hydrocarbons.”

On September 24th, 2024, WorkSafeBC issued the company a fine of just over $6,000.

The company was working at a facility accepting oilfield waste from oil producers.

“The firm’s processes for hot work hazard assessment were inadequate and did not identify specific hazards or controls.”

WorkSafeBC also says the company failed to ensure that a qualified person conducted tests and adopted suitable safety procedures before any welding or hot work was done.

“The firm also failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety. These were all high-risk violations.”