WorkSafeBC Lowers the Boom on Prime Contractor after Gas Worker’s Death

Two workers from a subcontractor’s firm were removing a nut from an out-of-service pumpjack horsehead at an oil and gas wellsite. As the nut was being loosened, the horsehead and a heavy walking beam collapsed, and the beam fell onto one of the workers, with fatal results. After determining that a safety bar that would have prevented the horsehead from inadvertent movement had been removed, WorkSafeBC inspectors fined the prime contractor $253,424 for failure to inspect the site, perform a hazard assessment, implement safe work procedures and lockout energy sources [Canadian Natural Resources Limited].