The Ssonix Products hazardous waste facility in St. Catharines has been ordered to permanently close following a tragic explosion in January 2023 that claimed the life of a 37-year-old worker, Ryan Konkin. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) announced the closure order on February 4 after an investigation into the incident, which also resulted in numerous charges against the company and its directors.

The explosion, which occurred in the early hours of January 12, 2023, triggered a series of blasts and a subsequent fire, forcing the evacuation of nearby homes. Konkin, the sole individual present in the facility at the time, was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

The MECP has directed Ssonix Products to submit a comprehensive closure plan by March 31, following an Ontario Land Tribunal hearing. Once the plan is approved, the company will be responsible for its implementation. The ministry has pledged to continue monitoring the site to ensure appropriate measures are taken to mitigate any environmental impact and that all relevant regulations and guidelines are strictly adhered to, safeguarding both human health and the surrounding environment.

The Ssonix Products waste treatment facility treats hazardous and non-hazardous wastes for off-site disposal. It offers several on-site waste management services, including solidification, polymerization, cleaning wastewater, balancing the pH of acids and bases for corrosive and oxidizing materials, processing isocyanates, handling and treating flammable materials like rags, safely emptying aerosol cans, and consolidating and moving waste materials.

This closure order comes amidst a flurry of legal actions against Ssonix Products and its directors, Steve Baker, Sharon Baker, and Tyler Baker. Niagara Regional Police have charged the three directors with criminal negligence causing death and arson by negligence. Furthermore, the company and its directors face a staggering 84 charges under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, brought forth by St. Catharines Fire Services. Earlier in 2023, the Ministry of Labour also issued the company 11 requirements and one order under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The MECP’s charges against the company and its directors are extensive, encompassing violations of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA). Ssonix and Steve Baker are each charged with one count of releasing a contaminant likely to cause an adverse effect. Additional charges against Ssonix include operating an air-related facility and a waste facility without the necessary Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECA), discharging material that could impair water quality, and seven counts of non-compliance with the terms of its waste ECA.