Blog Post #1460 – Saskatchewan Mine Incident Claims One

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine (Oct. 2016)

A mine worker has died following an equipment-related incident at a potash mine in the village of Vanscoy, Saskatchewan on August 08, 2016.

Agrium Inc. employee Chad Wiklun, 29, was working at the underground mine at about 2:45am when he got caught between two pieces of heavy mining equipment and sustained serious injuries, according to Todd Steen, the worksite’s general manager. Wiklun succumbed to his injuries on August 10, 2016.

The mining operation shut down immediately and remained closed for several days afterwards. Safety officers from the provincial Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety investigated the incident.

The Agrium Vanscoy potash mine has experienced several mishaps during the past few decades. On July 13, 2013, a construction worker at the mine was killed after falling 18 metres from a scaffold. Other fatalities occurred August 31, 2006, when a falling rock fatally injured a boring-machine operator, and on May 11, 2010, when a piece of equipment fell six storeys and struck a 59-year-old employee. An incident that could have been fatal occurred on February 14, 2014, when a fire broke out at the mine, trapping 54 miners in underground emergency shelters. But there were no injuries or deaths.

My opinion

It seems that the company involved, Agrium Inc., has a terrible safety record and that employees MUST be fully aware that working there can be there last.

Sad, isn’t it?

Changing the work culture to one of safety does not have to be a costly endeavour. Safety is not just a word but it culture. Either you have a full commitment from all levels of management & workers, or you have a similar company shown here where safety is a hit or miss proposition.

Too bad for the employees.

I wonder when Agrium Inc. decides to come into the 21^st century!

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 

Ensure your workplace is a safe place.

Remember – In Canada, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal

CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.