Blog Post #20 – Alberta Occupational Health and Safety – An Oxymoron

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine

An Oxymoron is: A figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory terms. I have explained in the past, that Alberta has one of the poorest safety records in Canada. Below is another recent issue that has to be dealt with. I would assume, as has happened in other less recent events, any and all parties will be found innocent due to lack of evidence. (or the lack of effort)

Please read,

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety has at least two officers looking for safety violations following an explosion at the Horizon oil-sands site. The blast occurred around 3:30 p.m. MT Thursday at the site near the Fort McKay First Nation in northern Alberta, sending flames and smoke hundreds of metres into the air. The owner of the site, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., said four people were injured in the explosion. Two were taken to hospital in Fort McMurray with burns, while two others were treated at the site. Federal and provincial environmental officials are also on the scene. Canadian Natural Resources said the quality of air was good 2.5 hours after the explosion.

However, people in the nearby community of Fort McKay said they felt nauseous and had headaches. Some also said the air quality monitoring station is at a lower elevation so they don’t trust its readings.

Again, I hope that all will carefully watch this issue from start to finish. Alberta is so busy printing out money that safety has been thrown out with the rubbish. I have reviewed many high profile (and not so high) cases coming from Alberta that have been deemed minor in nature and this may include a death. Alberta complains about the increases in healthcare and then does nothing to prevent these accidents that may lead the victims to long-term care! Who will ultimately be paying for their healthcare? Why the cost comes out of the pockets of all Albertans! If Alberta played the bad guy once in a while and heavily fine the offending company, the message would get out that Alberta IS tough on safety. It is too bad the Alberta Health & Safety office has a mandate for the companies (even foreign ones) instead of protecting their workers.

Albertans, please follow this event to its finish!!!

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at

Remember — In Canada, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.