Edmonton, Canada – Three companies are facing charges after a tragic incident resulted in the deaths of two workers in an explosion at an oil and gas site north of Edmonton. Greg Podulsky, aged 29, and Darcy Schwindt, aged 47, lost their lives on November 12, 2022, while working at the Marten Hills site near the hamlet of Smith, located approximately 200 kilometers north of Edmonton.
The charges were officially filed on May 9 against Tamarack Valley Energy of Calgary, Voltegic Energy Services of Athabasca, and Peace Pipefitting of Wembley. According to Alberta Occupational Health and Safety, the two men were working on top of a tank when an explosion occurred within a tank storage facility, resulting in their tragic deaths.
The charges include allegations of failing to ensure the health and safety of workers, particularly in relation to “hot work” procedures, which involve tasks that can potentially lead to fires or explosions. Brian Schmidt, the president and CEO of Tamarack Energy, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased workers and highlighted the internal changes implemented by the company and contractors following the incident.
While Tamarack Energy has taken steps to enhance its safety protocols, Voltegic Energy Services and Peace Pipefitting have yet to respond to requests for comments. Family members of both workers expressed mixed emotions, with Podulsky’s mother expressing anger at the circumstances that led to her son’s tragic death, while Schwindt’s family emphasized the importance of accountability and changes in workplace safety policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A numbered company was also implicated in the workplace fatalities, with its owner’s passing resulting in the withdrawal of charges. The initial court appearance for the charged companies is scheduled for July 17 in Slave Lake, with Podulsky’s mother committed to attending every hearing. The families of the deceased workers hope that the investigation and charges will lead to meaningful changes in workplace safety practices to prevent future tragedies.