Urgent: Stop Work Orders Issued After Manitoba Propane Explosion

UPDATE: Stop work orders have been issued at a Manitoba propane distribution facility following an explosion that injured three workers. The incident occurred at the Prairie Propane facility in Ste. Genevieve on January 29, prompting immediate action from authorities.

According to a spokesperson from the Manitoba government, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) department has issued two stop work orders and an improvement order related to service and maintenance tasks, as well as forklift operations at the site. “WSH is continuing to investigate,” the spokesperson confirmed, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

Firefighters from the RM of Taché responded to the explosion around 3:30 p.m. last week, arriving to find a burning structure housing approximately 100 propane tanks, alongside three large tanks and an estimated 250 smaller tanks around the building. The scale of the incident raised immediate concerns for safety in the area.

Reports indicate that two of the injured workers were transported to the Health Sciences Centre—one via STARS Air Ambulance and the other by ground ambulance. A third individual received medical assistance on-site before being released. Fortunately, all three workers are reported to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

A spokesperson for Shared Health confirmed that the patient transported by air was discharged the same day, underscoring the swift response from emergency services. The province clarified that all injured parties were employees at the facility, with the explosion traced back to a gas cylinder, as stated by an ongoing investigation led by the RCMP.

This incident highlights significant safety concerns in the propane industry, prompting immediate regulatory scrutiny. The stop work orders reflect the urgency of ensuring safety standards are met to prevent future accidents.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and further updates are expected as the investigation unfolds. The community is left shaken, with many seeking answers about the safety protocols in place at local facilities.

As the story develops, more details will emerge regarding the investigation and the measures Prairie Propane will take in response to the incident. Stay tuned for live updates as we track this urgent story.