On July 20, 2026, Par Energy Services Inc. pleaded guilty in the Red Deer Court of Justice to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code for failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker.
The charges stemmed from an incident involving Par Energy Services Inc. and Savanna Drilling Corp. at a work site near Rocky Mountain House on Feb. 8, 2023. A worker was seriously injured when they came into contact with moving gears inside a power tong while casing was being installed in a horizontal well.
Under section 49 of the OHS Act, the court ordered Par Energy Services Inc. to pay $100,000 to Red Deer Polytechnic to support the Matthew Schwartz Memorial Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships for students who demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety.
All remaining charges against Par Energy Services Inc. were withdrawn. All charges against Savanna Drilling Corp. were withdrawn.
The company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalty.
Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province. They provide guidance for employers to help them ensure their workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible while providing rights and protections for workers. Charges under OHS laws may be laid when failing to follow the rules results in a fatality or serious injury.
Quick facts
- Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration does not provide court documents. These are available through the Red Deer Court of Justice.