Two companies charged with workplace safety violations following a fatal explosion at the Come By Chance refinery made first appearances in court yesterday.

Refinery owner Braya Renewable Fuels and New Brunswick-based Lorneville Mechanical Contractors face a total of 14 charges under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.

That’s in connection with the blast that occurred on September 2nd, 2022.

Eight workers were rushed to hospital by ambulance and by air, with one man—47-year-old Shawn Peddle of Clarenville—succumbing to his injuries six weeks later.

The charges were laid last month, almost two years after the fact.

Lawyers for both Braya and Lorneville Mechanical appeared briefly in Clarenville provincial court yesterday to hash out preliminary issues.

They also set September 26th for the next court date to update the judge on the status of the case.

RCMP have not laid criminal charges but say their investigation is continuing.