Report: Ontario Government Ignores Engineers’ Safety Concerns
Oct. 24, 2017
New document says engineers were “muzzled” over safety concerns related to Sarnia’s Chemical Valley.
Ontario engineers attempting to sound the alarm about public safety concerns in Sarnia’s Chemical Valley are being “muzzled,” according to a report cited by the National Observer. The document is said to detail a meeting between the Office of the Environment Minister and the Professional Engineers Government of Ontario (PEGO), a union representing provincial engineers, and indicate that the government is ignoring concerns about chemical pollution from the area’s petrochemical refineries.
The engineers reportedly first expressed their concerns over the impact of the refineries on Sarnia’s communities in 2009, fears that included “acid gas flaring resulting in significant sulphur dioxide air emissions and risk of irreversible health impacts or mortality for sensitive individuals” and a “lack of engineering regulatory oversight relative to U.S. jurisdictions resulting in an increased risk to nearby communities of chemical leaks and explosions.” The revelations follow a separate investigation that exposed a series of toxic spills and leaks in the Chemical Valley area, according to the National Observer.
Many facilities handle dangerous processes and products on a daily basis. Keeping everything under control demands well-trained people working with the best equipment.
Enhance the training experience and increase retention by training hands-on in Emerson's Interactive Plant Environment. Build skills here so you have them where and when it matters...
See how Rosemount™ 625IR Fixed Gas Detector helps keep workers safe with ultra-fast response times to detect hydrocarbon gases before they can create dangerous situations.