MAPLE LEAFS: Pipeline injuries trouble regulator

The Canadian pipeline sector is becoming a more dangerous place to work, according to a National Energy Board study on worker safety, which found that close to two of every 100 workers suffered a serious workplace injury in 2007, almost double the seven-year average.

The federal regulator, which expressed concern about the trend, also reported that the rate of injuries for every 100 workers rose 18.8 percent from 2006 to 2007.

Although 2007 was only the 10th year that recorded no fatalities related to construction of the operation of NEB-regulated pipelines, that board noted that two deaths occurred in 2008, outside the terms of the study which covered the 2000-2007 period.

The natural gas pipeline sector, which accounts for two-thirds of the NEB’s regulated pipelines, was the major contributor to the higher rate of injuries in 2006 and 2007.

The study also said there was a higher rate of injuries among those working for contractors rather than among pipeline employees, and that trend has been rising for the past four years.

Contractors booked 1.6 million work hours in 2001 and reported 40 injuries compared with 4.8 million hours and 18 injuries among pipeline employees.

The gap narrowed in 2007 to 33 injuries among contractors from 2.9 million work hours and 22 injuries from pipeline employees, who worked the same number of hours.

However, the NEB acknowledged that a survey by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers showed a decreasing frequency of injuries during the 2005-2007 period.

The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association said it is working with the NEB to address worker safety and reduce risks.

—Gary Park