SaskPower supervisor fined for failing to keep worker safe

A SaskPower supervisor has been found guilty of failing to ensure the safety of his crew following the death of a worker in 2014.

Linesman Kleon Swahn died while working on a high-voltage transmission line near Wakaw, Sask., about 90 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.

Swahn was part of a four-man crew sent to the scene on Dec. 20, 2014.

According to a written court decision, Swahn was holding a wire with both hands when a cut was made without a jumper cable, a safety device meant to make live electrical wires safe to handle.

Kelvin Rowlett, Swahn’s supervisor, was found guilty of failing to review and revise the job hazard identification and risk assessment and failing to ensure a jumper cable was used prior to the cutting of an energized wire.

He was fined $28,000.

Rowlett has been employed by SaskPower for 25 years and has been a supervisor for eight years.

On Thursday, Brian Ketcheson, SaskPower’s vice-president of human resources, safety and stakeholder relations, said Rowlett was evaluated for 6 months after the incident before returning to work.

Rowlett has been on paid administrative leave since the decision in the Swahn case came down on March 1.

“The courts have found, after an extensive court hearing, he’s been found guilty of two counts so now we want to evaluate the entire incident,” Ketcheson said. “So putting him on paid leave for two or three weeks is a reasonable course of action for our company.”

An evaluation is currently underway to determine Rowlett’s future at the company.