Fine of $140K for Teck Coal upheld after worker severely injured in explosion

The Environmental Appeal Board (EAB) in British Columbia has upheld a $140,000 fine imposed on a coal mining company following a serious incident at its Elkford operations. The incident occurred on January 28, 2019, when a contracted mechanic suffered life-altering injuries while changing a tire at the Greenhills mine, operated by Teck Coal.

The EAB’s decision, released recently, revealed that the mechanic, employed by Maxam Explosives Inc., was severely injured when a truck wheel exploded at a workshop within the mine. An investigation by Teck determined that the explosion was likely caused by improper installation of a component of the tire’s rim.

The chief inspector of mines in the province conducted an investigation into the incident, leading to the $140,000 fine being imposed on Teck for failing to ensure that workers were adequately trained for their tasks. Teck disputed the fine, claiming procedural unfairness and asserting that it had fulfilled its obligations. However, the EAB rejected these arguments, affirming the fairness of the process and the inspector’s application of legislative requirements.

Following the acquisition of Teck’s coal mining facilities by Glencore in July 2024, now operating as Elk Valley Resources, the company stated its commitment to worker safety. They have implemented a safer option with a single-piece medium duty wheel across their operations.

The injured mechanic, who had been certified as a heavy-duty mechanic in 2010 and had nearly a decade of experience, had not been adequately trained on the hazards associated with the type of truck wheels he was working with. The inspector found that other employees were also unaware of the risks related to multi-piece wheel assemblies.

Teck argued that the mechanic, as a contractor employee, was not their responsibility and that his mechanic certification was sufficient. However, the inspector emphasized the need for specific training on multi-piece wheel assemblies, which Teck failed to provide.

Despite Teck’s objections, the EAB upheld the fine, finding that the company was responsible for training the contractor’s workers. The board also determined that the fine amount was not arbitrary, as the inspector had reduced it from a base penalty of $200,000 after improvements were made to training procedures.

In conclusion, the EAB ruled in favor of the mining inspector, dismissing Teck’s arguments and maintaining the fine. The company has since implemented enhanced training protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.