The Independent

NOVA Chemicals will pay a $130,000 fine after a sub-contractor was injured by hot liquid during maintenance work.

May 7, 2024, two employees of Kel-Gor Limited were at the plant on Petrolia Line near Corunna doing maintenance work, according to the Ministry of Labour. The pair were working on boilers and had to remove water from them to minimize scale corrosion and impurities.

The ministry says the valves on the boiler are manually opened to release the water from a heater storage drum. That day, the workers were on scaffolding near an exhaust stack while the cleaning was taking place. When the hot boiler feed water was discharged from the top of the stack, it caused serious injuries to one of the workers.

Ministry investigators found the stack and scaffolding was not equipped with shields or barriers to protect he workers from the hot liquid. 

The workers, the ministry said, had not been provided with information or procedures for safely working near the exhaust hood.

The company plead guilty to failing to provide information, instruction and supervision to protect workers under the Occupational Health and Safety Act Dec. 3.

Justice of the Peace Louise Bessegato imposed a fine of $130,000 and a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required under provincial law.

The money is used to help the victims of crime.