Worker Fired for Safety Lapse that Causes Propane Spill

Causing a propane spill by backing up his propane delivery truck without first checking to ensure the hoses were disconnected was the last straw for a worker with previous safety violations. The worker contended that the propane impaired his judgment but there was no evidence he actually inhaled the stuff. So, the court tossed his wrongful dismissal and defamation claims but awarded him nearly $20K in unpaid overtime. Both sides appealed but the Sask. Court of Appeal upheld the judgment [Balzer v Federated Co-operatives Limited, 2018 SKCA 93 (CanLII), Nov. 28, 2018].