Welding Company Fined $300,000 for Deadly Acetylene Gas Explosion

Fines of $300,000 and up are becoming increasingly common in Alberta. The most recent example stems from a welding explosion ignited by acetylene gas being used to fabricate a metal skid resulting in the death of one worker and ‘life altering injuries’ to another. The employer pled guilty to 2 OHS violations, including failure to use a leak detection system in the acetylene shack, and was fined $300,000 and put on 2 years of enhanced probation [Ja-Co Welding & Consulting Ltd., February 24, 2021].