Company fined $144K for 2024 Slave Lake workplace incident

Crude oil leaks from an oil pumping jack in an oil field. Photographer: Bloomberg Creative Photos/Bloomberg Creative Collection

An oil-and-gas well servicing company has been fined following a workplace injury in Slave Lake in 2024.

Apex Well Servicing pleaded guilty on June 18 in High Prairie to failing to provide safeguards if a worker may come into contact with an object thrown from machinery or equipment under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

It was fined $144,000.

On Feb. 5, 2024, a worker was attempting to bleed off air pressure by loosening a valve with a wrench when the valve released and struck the worker. They were seriously injured.

The Crown withdrew six other charges.

Apex and the Crown both have 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalty.