Ottawa, Canada – Six employees at Eastway Tank, Pump and Meter Ltd. tragically lost their lives in a devastating explosion in January 2022, marking one of the deadliest workplace incidents in Ottawa. The company, along with its owner Neil Greene, recently pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident.
The blast, which occurred on Merivale Road, resulted in the deaths of Rick Bastien, Etienne Mabiala, Danny Beale, Kayla Ferguson, Russell McLellan, and Matt Kearney. A seventh person survived but sustained severe injuries in the explosion.
Eastway and Neil Greene were accused of violating Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act by failing to ensure that diesel fuel used for wet testing trucks was not contaminated with flammable substances. Additionally, the company was charged with not providing adequate information and supervision to workers regarding safe fuel storage and handling procedures.
Following a joint submission in court, both the company and Greene agreed to plead guilty to the charges. Justice Mitch Hoffman is yet to determine the appropriate penalty for the violations.
One year after the tragedy, the Ontario Ministry of Labour brought forth three charges against Eastway and Neil Greene under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. While a trial was initially scheduled to commence, it was unexpectedly called off, with families being informed to expect a guilty plea and resolution on April 5.
The charges included allegations that Eastway did not meet safety regulations during the loading and “wet testing” of trucks, leading to unsafe conditions. The company was also accused of improperly handling fuel, which resulted in hazardous practices that endangered workers.
Family members of the deceased employees spoke out in court, sharing the immense pain and loss they have experienced since the explosion. Emotional victim impact statements highlighted the devastating impact of the incident on their lives.
As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the community remains in mourning for the lives lost in the tragic workplace explosion. The outcome of the case will serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in the workplace to prevent such devastating incidents from reoccurring.