Oilfield Services Company Penalized $262,000 for Ignition of Vapours

Volatile vapours associated with wash water from a truck at an oilfield were ignited by a welder at an oilfield service company’s shop facility. As a result, the company pleaded guilty to improper waste disposal under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and was penalized $250,000, part of which is to be diverted to a creative sentencing project. The company also pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the fire department was notified immediately after a spill or leak of more than 50 litres of flammable or combustible liquid under the Safety Codes Act and was fined $12,000 for that violation [Sonic Oilfield Service Ltd., Govt. News Release, Nov. 27, 2014].