Circa 1990, the Alberta government changed its approach to workplace safety in the oilpatch. Rather than send inspectors to tell managers to do this or that, the government does a big investigation when a death or serious injuries occurs. BIG FINES have resulted. Oll companies cannot pass the buck to the many contractors they hire.

Mothers in Alberta today don't worry so much their sons go to work on the drilling rigs.

Hit the guys at the top. Give big fines. That got the accident rate down.