Town of Kindersley pleads guilty in death of employee

On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in a joint submission with the Crown, the Town of Kindersley entered a guilty plea in Kindersley Provincial Court to one charge under the Occupational Health & Safety Regulations of the Saskatchewan Employment Act and payment of a $125,000 fine and the mandatory $50,000 victim fine surcharge. This charge was in relation to an incident that resulted in the tragic fatality of Town employee, Wilmer Gonzalez on August 30, 2022.

On August 30, 2022, Town of Kindersley Public Works employee Wilmer Gonzalez and other members of the Public Works team were called out to assist with a sewer blockage at the intersection of 11th Avenue West and 14th Street West in Kindersley. Unfortunately, while at the work site, Mr. Gonzalez entered the manhole and, moments afterwards, was overcome by lethal atmospheric conditions. Despite urgent efforts to rescue Mr. Gonzalez, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Mr. Gonzalez was a valuable member of the Town’s team of employees. He continues to be missed by his co‐workers. The Town of Kindersley took this matter very seriously and cooperated fully with all regulatory authorities following the incident.

“The accident was a devastating moment for the entire Town of Kindersley, Wilmer’s coworkers, and most importantly to his family and friends. Losing a colleague, valued friend and family member is not something any employee, employer or family should experience. While the fine imposed today brings an end to the legal proceedings, it is not intended to put a monetary value on a life, nor is it intended to reflect the pain and suffering endured by family and friends,” said Mayor Perkins.

The Town of Kindersley encourages all employers and employees to adhere to all safety requirements in their workplace for their own safety and those around them.