Alberta pipeline builder fined $350K after worker killed on site

A judge's chair seen inside a courtroom in Edmonton, Alberta (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

An equipment company has been fined $350,000 in connection with the death of a worker in Edson in 2022.

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The worker was killed at a facility owned by Excel Projects Ltd. on March 5.

The Alberta government said the person was preparing equipment for transport off site when it was activated and the person was pulled inside and killed.

Excel Projects Ltd. pleaded guilty to one count of failing to ensure an operational control on equipment could not be activated unintentionally.

The Crown withdrew 19 other charges under Occupational Health and Safety legislation.

The $350,000 in penalties against the company included $225,000 to establish a scholarship for heavy equipment operator program students at Olds College, as well as $120,000 for a similar scholarship at Portage College.

The company and The Crown have 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.

OHS posts fatality summaries online 60 to 90 days after court proceedings are concluded.

The Excel Projects Group specializes in pipeline construction in Western Canada.