No fines for Clark Builders after ammonia leak, evacuation
Investigation into Hay River accident concluded, WSCC says
The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission has decided not to pursue any sanctions following its investigation into an ammonia leak in July.
A worker cut into a pipe containing the toxic gas during the demolition of the town's Don Stewart Arena. The leak caused a large part of downtown Hay River to be evacuated as a precaution.
At the time, Dave Brothers of Clark Builders said the worker was in an isolated area where he had been instructed not to be; fire chief Ross Potter said the man "made an error."
The WSCC, however, said at the time that employers are required to remove hazardous chemicals from demolition sites before work can begin. Ammonia is used in ice rinks as a refrigerant, and the rink had not had ice on its surface for months prior to the accident.
The WSCC declined to release its full report to the CBC. It says its investigation into a second incident, which involved a worker injured by a scissor lift, is ongoing.