Police investigating the deadly explosion at Eastway Tank, Pump and Meter in Ottawa, which killed six employees in 2022, believe a series of negligent actions led to the disaster, according to newly unredacted court documents.
The documents reveal that investigators expanded their probe into company owner Neil Greene’s practices as far back as 2015, examining Eastway’s operations before, during, and after an employee known for improving safety measures was later terminated.
Det.-Sgt. Michael Cathcart filed the information to obtain (ITO) in September 2023, seeking additional search warrants. A previous version of the ITO was heavily redacted, but the latest filing removes many restrictions, though names of employees and some allegations remain confidential.
Greene’s defense lawyers, Kirstin Macrae and Mark Ertel, argue that the ITO does not present a full and accurate picture of events. Greene has not been charged with any crime, and the criminal negligence investigation remains ongoing.
Among the alleged safety failures, the ITO highlights Eastway’s failure to ground and bond the truck that exploded— a basic precaution that prevents sparks. A Ministry of Labour forensic engineer stated this measure “would have likely prevented this tragedy.” The Ontario Fire Marshal’s report could not pinpoint a specific ignition source.
Further allegations include using improperly cleaned used parts, inadequate contamination monitoring, a lack of written safety procedures, and improper fuel testing methods. The ITO describes Eastway’s actions as demonstrating a “wanton & reckless disregard for the lives and safety of employees.”
Witness testimonies paint a concerning picture of safety culture at Eastway. Employees reported minimal training, often limited to shadowing others. A former worker who significantly improved safety training between 2016 and 2019 was later fired. His impact led police to extend their investigation to establish the company’s safety culture over a longer period.
The Ottawa police investigation started a year after the explosion, following provincial charges under the Ontario Health and Safety Act. The defense team has challenged police search warrants but has dropped its attempt to retrieve seized records. Meanwhile, the review of privileged documents continues.
Families of the victims, including Louise Martel, partner of the late Rick Bastien, remain hopeful that justice will be served. A judge is currently assessing whether the legal proceedings should advance.
Source: Swifteradio.com
