Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Medicube Age-R Pro Glass Skin Massager Buy Now
2024 Ultrasonic Pest & Insect Repeller (6-Pack) Buy Now
Wide Leg Denim Mom Shorts Buy Now
Bliwov Cap Sleeve Tank Tops Buy Now
LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm Buy Now
London Fog Men's Auburn Golf Jacket Buy Now
Men's Slim Fit One Button Blazer Buy Now
Wedge Sandals Buy Now
Plus Size Colorblock Tank Top Buy Now
Elastic High Waisted Wide Leg Dress Pants Buy Now
Jerzees Dri-Power Tees Buy Now
Carhartt Beanie Buy Now
Banarasi Art Silk Saree Buy Now
Men's Blazer Casual Slim Fit Buy Now
Women's Summer Tops Buy Now
THE GYM PEOPLE Joggers Buy Now
Rectangular Polarized Sports Sunglasses Buy Now
Beard Trimming Catcher Bib Buy Now
Calvin Klein Bella Crossbody Buy Now
Men's Slim Fit Blazer Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Miscommunication, staffing changes contributed to deadly ammonia leak in Kamloops, B.C.: report

Miscommunication, staffing changes contributed to deadly ammonia leak in Kamloops, B.C.: report

CBC
Thursday, January 26, 2023 6:10 PM GMT

A combination of broken communication and staffing changes contributed to a deadly ammonia leak at an ice-making facility in Kamloops, B.C., last spring, an investigation has found.

A report released Thursday said workers mistakenly believed ammonia had been removed from a refrigeration system before they began taking it apart inside the Arctic Glacier Ice building in Mount Paul Industrial Park on May 26.

When one of them opened a ball valve, believing the ammonia had gone, a "significant" amount of deadly gas rushed out.

"This is a traumatic event for everyone involved. Our condolences go out to the loved ones of the deceased and our thoughts are with those who were exposed, witnessed, or were otherwise impacted by this tragic incident," said Jeff Coleman, director of Technical Safety B.C.

The worker was killed, three more people were hospitalized and 14 others had respiratory issues. The incident also led to an evacuation around the industrial park, temporarily shutting down nearby businesses as a cloud of ammonia leaked into the surrounding area.

The report from Technical Safety B.C., which oversees the operation of technical systems and equipment in the province, said miscommunication and staffing changes over the better part of a decade contributed to the deadly leak.

It began in 2015, when the refrigeration system at the centre of the leak was first shut down in preparation to move it to a facility in Kelowna. 

At the time, ammonia was not removed. The colourless but pungent gas is used in refrigeration systems, power generation and manufacturing. 

Inhaling low concentrations can irritate the eyes and respiratory systems, but large amounts can be deadly.

Over the next several years, the company made changes to its equipment and had personnel turnover. Some staff thought the ammonia had been removed from the system during the moving preparations years earlier, others did not.

"The misunderstanding about the removal of ammonia persisted until the fatal incident and was likely contributed to by a division of responsibilities, a change in personnel, and the terminology used by those involved," the report read.

Last year, the company started preparing to take away the last of the ammonia equipment from the system. Because of budget implications and the "apparent belief" that there wasn't any gas left, it did not hire a qualified refrigeration mechanic to do the work.

"Had a licensed contractor been involved at this stage a qualified refrigeration mechanic would have likely involved an assessment that would have correctly identified the ammonia in the systems," the report said.

Instead, a "broker" came to do the disassembly for free. In exchange, he planned to sell the equipment to a buyer in the United States.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Privacy commissioner reviewing reported Ontario Health atHome data breach

Both Ontario's privacy commissioner and Ontario Health are investigating a reported data breach affecting Ontario Health atHome, the province's home-care coordination service.

'Rurban' ridings on the minds of Albertans as electoral boundary meetings conclude

During a Thursday afternoon meeting earlier this month in Brooks, Alta., Justice Dallas Miller, chair of Alberta's new electoral boundaries commission, outlined the central challenge facing the panel.

St. Clare's internal medicine doctors give mass resignation notice, warn of 'impending crisis'

Five doctors at a St. John's hospital have tendered a joint notice of resignation, saying their work environment has become "unsafe for both patient care and provider well-being," CBC Investigates has learned.

Health-care workers who treat refugees plan message to Trump administration

Adeb Arianson fled his home in Kabul just days before the capital of Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in 2021, as Western nations were evacuating their citizens and panic seized the city. 

Transition to family health teams improves access to primary care, says Horizon, Vitalité

New Brunswick's two regional health authorities say the transition of primary care to family health teams has opened up access for tens of thousands of doctorless patients, with more to come.

Masai Ujiri out as Toronto Raptors president: reports

The Toronto Raptors are parting ways with team president Masai Ujiri, according to ESPN and Sportsnet. 

Spate of drownings in Quebec prompts urgent calls for water safety, vigilance

After at least 22 drownings in Quebec since the start of the year — including two at Montreal's Verdun Beach in recent weeks — the Quebec Lifesaving Society is renewing its calls for caution.

Winnipeg's Portage and Main reopens to pedestrians after 46 years of barricades: How did we get here?

Winnipeg's Portage and Main intersection is embedded in the story of Canada — the crossroads of the country and one of its windiest corners — and it's held that lore despite being inaccessible to pedestrians for 46 years.

Sask. Opposition calls for SGI to scrap inspection requirement for out-of-province vehicles

Saskatchewan's Opposition NDP is calling on the provincial government to drop the requirement for used vehicles bought outside of the province to be inspected before they can be registered.

Man found not guilty of killing common-law spouse nearly 6 years after her death

After years of legal proceedings, a man has been found not guilty of killing his common-law partner and setting fire to their mobile home in Boyle, Alta.

School zones won't be 24/7, 'disreputable' websites are sharing misinformation: B.C. RCMP

Rules around school zones aren't changing on July 1, contrary to what some "disreputable websites" are claiming, says the B.C. RCMP's Highway Patrol.

Hamilton police use of force remains disproportionate with Black and Middle Eastern people, data shows

Black and Middle Eastern people in Hamilton continue to be overrepresented in use-of-force incidents recorded by the Ontario city's police service.

Portion of Wheatley, Ont., evacuated for gas leak 4 years after gas explosion rocked town

More residents of Wheatley, Ont., have now been evacuated from their homes after first responders found hydrogen sulfide gas "bubbling" in the area near the community's library.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Yellowknife's Sundog Trading Post closed indefinitely due to fire in attic

The owner of a Yellowknife café and restaurant says he's "gutted" by a fire that engulfed the establishment's attic on Thursday.

Alberta judge grants temporary injunction blocking a transgender health-care bill

An Alberta judge has put on hold a provincial law that bans doctors from providing gender-affirming care to youth.

Portage and Main reopens to pedestrians, marking 'historic moment' for Winnipeg

The shrouds were removed from the brand new walk signals at the intersection of Portage and Main on Friday morning and the remaining construction barricades hauled away, as 46 years of prohibited pedestrian crossings came to an end at Winnipeg's famous corner.

Victim ID'd in fatal stabbing at North York homeless shelter: police

Toronto police have identified the man who was killed in a stabbing at a North York homeless shelter over the weekend.

P.E.I. Humane Society launches fundraising push to help finish new shelter's key facilities

The P.E.I. Humane Society's new shelter is nearly complete, but with a few key features still unfinished, the organization is making one last fundraising push to let it fully equip the space.

Cooling rental market provides window of opportunity for Calgary renters to find deals

Gone are the days of soaring rents, lineups for viewings and upfront rental application fees in Calgary — at least for now.

An Ottawa runner posted online asking 'Did you save my life?' Then he got an answer

Tommy Chan knows he ran five kilometres on Tuesday, May 20. He just doesn't remember it.

Ontario taking control of 4 school boards, including TDSB

Ontario has taken control of four more school boards due to "mismanagement," the education minister announced Friday while saying it's time for a broader rethink of board governance.

N.W.T. health-care bodies say relying on virtual doctors in emergency room is unsafe

Yellowknife's hospital will staff its emergency room with a virtual doctor, and will regularly schedule doctors to work 12-hour shifts this summer to deal with a personnel shortage, according to three health-care organizations in the territory that have decried the situation as dangerous. 

Trump says he's ending 'all discussions on trade with Canada' effective immediately

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he's terminating all trade discussions with Canada effective immediately.

Up to 8 infants need protective medication after potential measles exposure, CPHO says

The province's Chief Public Health Office has identified between four and eight infants who require medication to protect them against measles.

Weather impacts a turtle's sex and other facts to note during turtle nesting season

It's turtle nesting season in Ontario and conservationists are working to protect endangered species and their nests. 

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us