Company, city cited over arena deaths

RICHMOND — A refrigeration company and a municipality have been cited by WorkSafe B.C. under health and safety regulations after three workers died when they were exposed to ammonia at an arena in Fernie.

The workplace safety agency released a 74-page incident investigation report on Wednesday into the causes of the incident at Fernie Memorial Arena on Oct. 17 last year, so that they can be prevented in the future.

The provincial agency will consider the findings of the report to determine the appropriate enforcement action, if any.

On its website, WorkSafe B.C. says that can include financial penalties or a prosecution. None of the claims made by WorkSafe B.C. in its report have been tested through that enforcement process.

The report said the city was cited with seven violations of the occupational health and safety regulation and one under the Workers Compensation Act. Toromont Industries Ltd., which owns refrigeration company CIMCO, was cited with two violations under the Workers Compensation Act, WorkSafe B.C. said.

CIMCO said it will review the recommendations in the report to strengthen its policies.

“In the meantime, we are in the process of implementing all of the WSBC recommendations from a recent industry-wide audit in addition to our own initiatives to upgrade our safety policy,” the company said. “We remain committed to working with all industry stakeholders to collectively ensure the safety of our people and the communities we serve.”

The City of Fernie said it agreed with WorkSafe B.C. that documentation and internal communication could be improved.

“Although we don’t see that the report points out anything specific we could have done to prevent this tragedy, administration and council will take time to review the report,” the city said.