Companies sentenced for health and safety violations

The Department of Government Services announced details today on the sentencing of three companies involved in an incident on June 18, 2002 in Botwood. Crosbie Industrial Services Ltd., Ultramar Limited and Rancur Petroleum Services Limited pleaded guilty in provincial court for violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The Occupational Health and Safety Branch laid charges following an investigation into an explosion on June 18, 2002 at the Ultramar bulk storage facility in Botwood. Two workers were injured as a result of the explosion which happened inside the tank while it was being cleaned. One worker was inside the tank at the time and the other was preparing to enter.

Crosbie Industrial Services Ltd. has been fined $15,000 and ordered to fund $10,000 for public education in occupational health and safety by April 15, 2006. Ultramar Limited and Rancur Petroleum Services Limited pleaded guilty earlier this year. Ultramar Limited was sentenced to a fine of $5,000 after pleading guilty to one charge of failing to ensure that safety procedures were followed at the workplace and Rancur Petroleum Services Limited was fined $2,000. Other charges against both Ultramar Limited and Rancur Petroleum Services Limited were withdrawn. Charges against an individual were also withdrawn.

Crosbie Industrial Services Ltd. pleaded guilty to two charges related to failing to protect the health, safety and welfare of its workers and failing to ensure workers were trained in the use of respiratory equipment. The remaining 10 charges were withdrawn.

Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Communications, (709) 729-4860, 682-6593

2005 12 29        1:00 p.m.