Woman killed by Black Bear in Oilsands camp

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I just think that in a remote area, there should be people available relatively quickly who have the training to shoot a dangerous animal.

But it's not exaclty a remote area. This occurred at base plant, not the middle of the woods. It's not exaclty an area you can just go discharging firearms, no matter the reason. They already don't have people available to respond to more likely emergency scenarios, let alone a 1-in-a-million bear attack.

As tragic as this event is, I don't think having people shooting a 30-30 or .306 near pressurized vessels containing hydrocarbons at temps well above thier flash point is a great idea.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

But it's not exaclty a remote area. This occurred at base plant, not the middle of the woods. It's not exaclty an area you can just go discharging firearms, no matter the reason. They already don't have people available to respond to more likely emergency scenarios, let alone a 1-in-a-million bear attack.

As tragic as this event is, I don't think having people shooting a 30-30 or .306 near pressurized vessels containing hydrocarbons at temps well above thier flash point is a great idea.

The thing is, they did shoot the bear. It just took an hour for people with the proper credentials (the RCMP) to show up to do it. I am just surprised that there was no one close considering that it is bear country after all. It obviously wasn't a matter of it being prudent or not to shoot the bear.

If it takes emergency services an hour to get there, then I think that qualifies as a remote site.

[burnin_vernon]

Originally Posted by pylon

Yup, I used to carry a hatchet too, but when I saw a guy demolishing a log into kindling with a the same 10" bowie I bought, I switched to that, since I find it more versatile. For 60 bucks, it's an awesome investment.

I'm sold. Exactly what knife is this?

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The thing is, they did shoot the bear.

They shooting did not occur where the attack did. I can't comment if they shot the bear in the plant or not as I'm not sure. The only details I have are that a bear was shot when the RCMP got to site, and was later confirmed to be the same bear that attacked.

My point is, it's safer to chance a 1-in-a-million bear attack than it is to have people discharging firearms in a plant you're not even allowed to carry a lighter in.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If it takes emergency services an hour to get there, then I think that qualifies as a remote site.

It would likely take 15-20 mins just to mobilize the ERP before the RCMP were even contacted. And given the highway up there it's not an easy task just to get there, even for an emergency crew. Our opionions of a remote site obviously differ. Any companies I've worked for wouldn't consider that plant "remote" as it's only 25km out of a city.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

They shooting did not occur where the attack did. I can't comment if they shot the bear in the plant or not as I'm not sure. The only details I have are that a bear was shot when the RCMP got to site, and was later confirmed to be the same bear that attacked.

My point is, it's safer to chance a 1-in-a-million bear attack than it is to have people discharging firearms in a plant you're not even allowed to carry a lighter in.

All the stories I have seen said that the bear was shot near the scene of the attack. I am assuming that someone with firearms training obviously wouldn't fire in areas where ambient hydrocarbon vapours are an issue, but again, this wasn't an issue of them showing up and deciding not to shoot the bear. This is an issue of no one showing up... for over an hour.

If they have things like water canons available, then I don't think they considered it a 1 in a million chance of this happening. It was anticipated somewhat.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If they have things like water canons available, then I don't think they considered it a 1 in a million chance of this happening. It was anticipated somewhat.

The water cannons are for fire protection.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

It would likely take 15-20 mins just to mobilize the ERP before the RCMP were even contacted. And given the highway up there it's not an easy task just to get there, even for an emergency crew. Our opionions of a remote site obviously differ. Any companies I've worked for wouldn't consider that plant "remote" as it's only 25km out of a city.

Interesting. I have worked in "remote sites" right in the middle of cities (abandoned buildings). If there is a reasonable chance that someone could get injured and not receive life-saving care within a reasonable amount of time, we consider it remote.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

The water cannons are for fire protection.

Nonetheless, according to the media, Suncor trains their employees on wildlife awareness and safety, so it isn't totally unexpected as wildlife attacks must be a reasonable concern if they provide training for it. My only issue is that the response time for a worst case scenario does not seem to be adequate for something identified as a reasonable safety concern at this particular site.

[Peanut]

Maybe this isn't the best place to put this but another fatality at Suncor today. That's 4 fatalities in 5 months, basically. Yikes.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/touch/n...tml?rel=841484

[habernac]

Dad worked at Suncor for 27 years, I don't think there were 4 fatalities in that entire period of time. Brutal safety record lately.