Saskatchewan excavation firm pleads guilty in trench collapse case
(UI) — A Saskatchewan excavation contractor has pleaded guilty to two violations of provincial occupational health and safety regulations following a trench collapse that seriously injured a worker near North Battleford.
On Dec. 18, 2025, Triple 7 Excavating Ltd. entered guilty pleas in North Battleford Provincial Court related to failures under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020. The charges stem from a June 28, 2022 incident near the rural municipality of Parkdale, Saskatchewan, where a worker was seriously injured after a trench gave way.
The company admitted to contravening subsection 2-2(1) of the regulations (being an employer or contractor, fail to give notice to the division as soon as reasonably possible of an incident at a place of employment that required a worker to be admitted to a hospital as an in-patient for a period of 72 hours or more). It also contravened subsection 17-7(1) of the regulations (being an employer or contractor, fail to ensure that if a worker is present in a trench that is more than 1.2 meters deep, the worker is protected from cave-ins or sliding material). One additional charge was stayed.
The court imposed financial penalties, including a fine and victim surcharge, following the guilty plea.
Provincial officials said the case underscores the importance of proper trench protection systems and timely reporting of serious workplace incidents. Under Saskatchewan regulations, employers must implement protective measures such as shoring, shielding or sloping in excavations exceeding specified depth thresholds to prevent collapse.
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety continues to oversee enforcement and workplace safety compliance across the province.
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