Technical Safety BC’s Investigation Report into the Fernie Memorial Arena tragedy, where two City of Fernie workers and a contractor from Alberta were killed Oct. 17, 2017, following an ammonia leak, shows that improved safety standards are needed for refrigeration plants in arenas all across British Columbia.

City of Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano said she is hopeful the tragedy that took the lives of Wayne Allan Hornquist, 59, Lloyd Stewart Smith, 52, both of Fernie, and Jason Donovan Podloski, 46, of Turner Valley, Alberta, and the subsequent investigation and report, will serve to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“As a city we value and are committed to the health and safety of our employees and community members. The ammonia leak, and the subsequent loss of our valued colleagues, is one of the most tragic incidents to happen to our community. We still feel their absence deeply,” stated Mayor Giuliano.

“Despite working with an approved certification for our system at the time of the incident, today’s report points to opportunities to further improve safety standards for arena refrigeration plants, not only for Fernie but for communities across British Columbia so no one else will need to experience a similar tragedy.”

Immediately following the incident, Technical Safety BC put in place additional regulations for testing and monitoring arena refrigeration plants, resulting in a number of rinks in B.C. discovering problems that might have become dangerous. The report outlines 18 recommendations to improve safety with refrigeration systems.

“The report indicates this is the first known example of an incident like this happening, where the ammonia leaked into a secondary coolant (the brine), leading to a pressure build up and failure of the pipe and then the rapid release of ammonia,” noted Giuliano. “There is much the entire industry can learn from this to prevent such an accident in the future, and we will support this learning in whatever way we can.”

In a media release this afternoon the city noted findings of the report include:

•  Our people were trained to the highest levels available in the industry.
•  The report acknowledged that we were working with approved certification for our system at the time of the 
incident.
•  It also pointed to opportunities to further improve safety standards for arena refrigeration plants, not only for 
Fernie, but for communities across British Columbia so no other community experiences a similar tragedy.
•  There was no evidence to indicate that anyone was aware of any safety risk associated with the continued 
operation of the chiller.
•  Technical Safety BC compared our maintenance plan and contract to others in B.C. and determined it was 
consistent.

Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said the findings and recommendations in Technical Safety BC’s Fernie Incident Investigation Report will result in safer conditions in B.C. arenas.

“This has been a very difficult process for the entire community of Fernie. I want to again extend my condolences to the three families who lost loved ones in the Memorial Arena tragedy last October,” Robinson said.

“I want to thank Technical Safety BC for the 18 recommendations designed to prevent a similar ammonia release. The recommendations, for arena owners, maintenance contractors, training providers, local B.C. governments and the Canadian Standards Association, will improve safety in ice-rink refrigeration systems throughout the province, so people can feel safe when they attend hockey games, skating practice or other community events.

“Technical Safety BC’s recommendations are the result of a thorough investigation under the Safety Standards Act to determine the cause of the tragedy, and identify how to help make sure something like this does not happen again.

“Moving forward, Technical Safety BC will work with communities and stakeholders to advance the recommendations, and implement safety improvements for ice-rink refrigeration systems, to help ensure that British Columbians are safer.”

Lead image: Fernie Fire Department cordons off the arena Oct. 17, 2017 following the ammonia lake. Chris Inglis photo

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