Brian Hodgkinson, a former SaskEnergy employee who vocally raised concerns about the health risks associated with exposure to carcinogenic compounds in natural gas, has passed away due to complications stemming from leukemia and stomach cancer.
Hodgkinson, aged 69, dedicated 40 years of his life to working with natural gas, serving with both SaskPower and SaskEnergy until his retirement in 2014. His leukemia diagnosis came to light one year after retiring.
In 2022, Hodgkinson’s wife, Josie, discovered the potential link between leukemia and exposure to benzene, a compound commonly found in natural gas. She embarked on extensive research, even securing raw data from a university research group to present to an occupational medicine specialist in Saskatoon.
The specialist, Dr. Niels Koehncke of the Occupational Medicine Clinic at the University of Saskatchewan, corroborated the link between Hodgkinson’s leukemia and his occupational exposure to benzene. In a letter dated November 2022, Dr. Koehncke affirmed the work-relatedness of Hodgkinson’s leukemia, citing benzene as a known carcinogen.
Reflecting on his decades of fieldwork, Hodgkinson recounted instances of constant gas exposure and inadequate protective measures for workers. He highlighted practices such as “sniff tests” to gauge gas odorant levels, conducted without proper protective gear, even in hazardous situations like ruptured gas lines.
In November 2022, Hodgkinson and his wife initiated legal action against SaskPower and SaskEnergy, alleging negligence in providing a safe work environment. Both provincial Crown corporations denied any wrongdoing, asserting Hodgkinson’s failure to adhere to safety protocols.
Despite their legal battle, Josie Hodgkinson noted a concerning trend among SaskEnergy workers, with several cases of blood cancer reported since 2020. She lamented the management’s alleged efforts to silence discussions on safety issues, despite the devastating toll on workers’ health.
Brian Hodgkinson passed away on March 5 while under palliative care, with his funeral held on March 15 at the Holy Family Cathedral in Saskatoon. His advocacy for worker safety and his pursuit of justice leave a lasting legacy amid ongoing concerns within the industry.