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City to review ammonia protocols following Fernie deaths

Oct 24, 2017 | 5:00 PM

Management with the City of Prince Albert are reviewing procedures around ammonia use in ice rinks after three men were killed by an ammonia leak at an arena in Fernie, British Columbia.

The three workers died after they were accidentally exposed to an ammonia gas leak Oct. 17, and the town declared a seven-day state of emergency. More than 100 residents were forced to leave their homes as emergency crews worked to control the leak and assess the spread of the gas before the evacuation order was lifted early this week.

Gordon Hood, health, safety and environment coordinator for the City of Prince Albert, said only one arena in the city uses ammonia.

“There’s only one city facility that has ammonia in its refrigeration system and that’s the Art Hauser Centre, our newest facility,” Hood said.

Hood said ammonia is used in the refrigeration system for the arena’s ice surface. While there are always concerns around the use of any hazardous material, Hood there have never been any significant issues with the system and there are robust policies in place should anything go wrong.

“We have emergency response protocols and plans for the centre, and part of that is to deal with any issues with the ammonia system,” Hood said. “We’ve got lots of plans and procedures and equipment in place to warn staff and the public should there be issues.”

The facility’s emergency protocols around ammonia underwent a review in April to ensure everything was up to date, Hood said, and the protocols will be reviewed again in the wake of the tragedy in Fernie. The policy review will include the fire department, he said, as well as the arena staff who work in close proximity to the refrigeration system.

 

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews