CER issues order to Trans Mountain in relation to worksite fatality

October 30, 2020

The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) has issued an Inspection Officer Order to Trans Mountain regarding the use of trench boxes and contractor oversight in relation to an October 27, 2020 worker fatality at a worksite near Edmonton, Alberta.

The CER’s Order stipulates that Trans Mountain shall ensure that contracting company, SA Energy Group, immediately cease use and operation of trench boxes until it can demonstrate that they can be used, assembled and disassembled safely.  Furthermore, Trans Mountain shall undertake a root cause analysis of the fatality and identify and implement corrective and preventive actions.

The CER also orders Trans Mountain to confirm that it has a process to train workers in the safe use of trench boxes, along the entire length of the project. The company must also confirm that it has the inspectors and oversight capability to adequately oversee high-risk project activities for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, and if there are any identified gaps, it addresses them.

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety is leading the investigation into the fatality given its role in provincial occupational health and safety matters. The CER shares responsibility for overseeing safety measures for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project and we continue to engage with provincial authorities.

The CER continues to keep the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee of the Trans Mountain expansion and existing pipeline informed.

The full Inspection Officer Order, which takes immediate effect, can be found on the CER’s website

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