Shell Canada and CEDA International have been fined a total of $90,000 after two workers collapsed at Shell's Corunna site in April 2013.
The Ministry of Labour says CEDA was hired to clean heat exchanger tubes at the refinery. The workers placed the tubes into a vat which was then filled with a sulfuric acid solution. The H2S monitiors on site began sounding a short time later and a strong smell was coming from the vat.
Two CEDA workers suffered dizziness and disorientation and briefly collapsed. The other worker was able to safely leave the area. The workers were treated at hospital and released.
Ministry of Labour investigation revealed the scales on the heat exchanger tubes contained iron sulfide, and when combined with sulfuric acid, created H2S gas.
The Ministry says although the workers were wearing personal monitors to warn of any release, they weren't wearing proper protective equipment.
Shell Canada was fined $40,000 in Sarnia court on April 20, 2015 and CEDA International Corporation was fined $50,000.
In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act.
