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Two dead in oil sands tank collapse



By Upstream staff 

Two workers died at Canadian Natural Resources' Horizon oil sands project when the roof of a massive oil container under construction collapsed yesterday, authorities said.

Four other were injured in the accident, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told CBC News. Their injuries were not thought to be serious.

CNR confirmed the deaths today, saying all the workers involved in the accident were Chinese contract employees.

The accident, at the $9.6 billion project about 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, is under investigation by Alberta workplace safety officials.

Local unions have criticised companies for bringing in foreign workers as labour costs at Alberta's oil sands projects sky-rocket.

CNR today dismissed suggestions that the workers were not properly qualified, saying all staff on the site had to be properly certified and stick to strict safety rules.


Wednesday, 25 April, 2007, 20:04 GMT  | last updated: Thursday, 26 April, 2007, 11:18 GMT

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