Sunrise Propane Energy Group Inc. faces two charges in connection with an Aug. 10, 2008 explosion at its north Toronto facility that left an employee dead.
The two charges have been laid by the Ontario Ministry of Labour under the province's Occupational Health and Safety Act. The allegations are the company:
- failed to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect that worker's health and safety
- take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect a worker with respects to the storage of propane and emergency responses to propane leaks
The company is to make its first appearance before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on Sept. 3.
If convicted, the maximum fine under the act is $500,000 per count.
No allegations against the company have yet been proven in a court of law.
The blast at Sunrise's facility at 54 Murray Rd. occurred in the pre-dawn hours, creating a spectacular fireball. Parminder Saini had been the overnight employee. He was first discovered to be missing, with his body found several days later. His identity had to be confirmed using DNA testing.
Saini, who was 25, had emigrated from to Canada from India only eight months before. He had come to study manufacturing management, according to the Toronto Star.
Bob Leek, an off-duty firefighter who responded to the blaze, died that day. He collapsed at the scene and couldn't be revived.
The massive blast leveled Sunrise Propane, but also damaged nearby homes.
A class-action lawsuit has been commenced against the company by 3,000 affected area residents. The court action is awaiting certification from a judge.
The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office launched an investigation into the blaze, but has yet to report.
