An Agrium Inc. electrician was killed May 11, 2010, at the company’s Vanscoy Potash Operations (VPO) near Saskatoon, Sask. “We regret to announce that Mr. Edward Artic was fatally injured on the job at approximately 1:15 PM, May 11,” the company said in a statement. “Mr. Artic was a 59-year-old electrician, who had just over 10 years of experience working at our Vanscoy facility.” “Our deepest sympathies and thoughts go out to Ed’s family, friends and co-workers,” added Tom Diment, vice president, potash.
Agrium said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have completed their inquiry and have released the site to the Mines Branch for their investigation. Agrium is working with the Mines Branch to assist in their review, and is also undertaking its own internal investigation.
Agrium said May 13 that the mine was starting to resume operations after the incident as it was welcoming back full crews to ramp-up operations in the mill and mine. “Although there is no perfect time to start up, we felt that this was a reasonable time to resume operations,” said Mike Dirham, Vanscoy general manager. “We continue to offer support to Mr. Artic’s family as well as our employees at the site. Our first priority remains the safety of our employees. We want to ensure a safe start-up for everyone and are confident that site and area are safe to resume work.”
A spokesman for the United Steelworkers Union told the Regina Leader-Post that Artic suffered a blow to the head from a metal shiv. No other employees were reported to be injured. The union noted that this was the seventh mine accident at Vanscoy; however, Agrium said it was the first since 1984.
A group of miners were trapped in the mine overnight due to a power outage back in March (GM March 15, 2010). None of them were injured, however, and all were able to leave the mine the next morning.