Agrium fined $490K after Vanscoy potash mine worker seriously injured

Agrium has been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars after a worker was seriously injured at a mine southwest of Saskatoon.

The worker was struck in the abdomen by an unsecured cable Aug. 21, 2016 when a conveyor belt was started at the Vanscoy potash mine.

He had to be airlifted by STARS to a Saskatoon hospital for surgery and treatment.

Agrium pleaded guilty on Oct. 31 in Saskatoon provincial court for failing to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of an employee.

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The company was fined $350,000, plus a surcharge of $140,000. One other charge against the company was withdrawn.

The incident happened days after operations resumed at the mine after a workplace death.

Chad Wiklum, 29, died several days after he was injured on Aug. 8 when he was caught between two pieces of equipment while underground.

Agrium is now known as Nutrien after merging with the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan.