Worker, 53, killed at northern Alberta pulp mill

A 53-year-old independent contractor has died at a northern Alberta pulp mill.

In a statement, Mercer International Inc. said the death occurred on Saturday at the Peace River pulp mill and the company has initiated an investigation into the contractor's death.

“We are saddened about the loss of life of one of our contractor's employees and our thoughts are with the individual's family and colleagues. An investigation of the accident has been started and we are working with the authorities and the contracting company to find out how this tragic incident occurred,” said Roger Ashfield, managing director of Mercer Peace River in the statement. “Mercer's emergency procedures were immediately activated and our industrial safety and occupational health personnel were involved for support.“

Officers responded to the mill about 1:50 a.m. RCMP determined the man's death to be non-criminal. Occupational health and safety has taken over the investigation.

David Ure, senior vice-president of finance for Mercer, confirmed the worker was part of a contractor firm that was on-site doing work in connection with a planned maintenance shutdown of the mill.

“This is typically an annual procedure lasting two to three weeks that often requires considerable specialized and additional services from outside our organization,” Ure said.

Mercer produces forest products, bioproducts and green electricity and operates in Canada, Germany, the United States and Australia.

Peace River is about 490 km northwest of Edmonton.