Companies make 1st court appearance on safety charges related to fatal refinery blast

Injured workers, family members, supporters and union officials packed a courtroom in Clarenvilleon Thursday morning, as two companies made their first court appearance related to a fatal explosion at the Come By Chance refinery in 2022.

Braya Renewable Fuels (Newfoundland) GP Incorporated is facing 11 occupational health and safety charges.

They include failure to provide and maintain the necessary equipment, systems and tools to ensure a safe workplace, and failure to ensure safe work procedures were followed.

Lorneville Mechanical Contractors Limited is facing three safety-related charges.

Thursday's appearance was brief. The case will return to court next month, to give the Crown time to provide disclosure to the defendants.

Meanwhile, union leaders say injured workers and their families are bracing for a lengthy legal process.

"It's very frustrating," said Glenn Nolan, president of United Steelworkers Local 9316, which represents most unionized workers at the refinery.

"It's been two years [on]September the second. It's a difficult time, until they find out for Shawn and the injured workers where this is going to go."

Shawn Peddle, 47, of Clarenville died six weeks after being injured in the flash fire. Seven other workers were seriously injured.

The RCMP has also launched an investigation into the blast. No criminal charges have been laid.

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