SaskPower appealing court order to pay $840K fine for deaths of 2 workers

A Saskatchewan Crown corporation is challenging a fine it's been ordered to pay inthe deaths of two of its workers.

In October, a Weyburn court gave SaskPower a $840,000 fine for an October 2020 workplace accident.

The accident involved two workers with 19 years of experience, Scott Bill and Cole Crooks, according to court documents. Thetwo were working on power lines and fell to their deaths after the bucket they were in tipped over in October 2020.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers2067 represented the two men. Union representative Ken Hoste said after thecourt ordered fine believed to be among the largest workplace injury fines issued in recent historyCanada that he hoped the case would raise more awareness about the need for stringent safety procedures.

SaskPower confirmed in an email to CBC news on Friday that it has filed an appeal in Weyburn.

"This does not diminish the great loss of Scott Bill and Cole Crooks, who were valued members of our SaskPower family," anemail from a spokesperson for the Crown corporation said.

"Their loss continues to be felt by us all, and our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of these two employees."