The Westray Mine disaster occurred on May 9, 1992, in Plymouth, Nova Scotia, a coal mine that was notable for its production of high-quality coal. At the time, the mine was owned by the Curragh Resources Inc. The explosion was caused by a buildup of methane gas, which ignited, resulting in a catastrophic explosion that trapped and ultimately killed 26 miners. The incident took place deep underground, making rescue operations perilous and challenging. Initial rescue attempts were thwarted by dangerous conditions, and it took several days to fully assess the scale of the tragedy and begin operations to recover the bodies of the deceased miners.Reports later revealed that safety protocols had been compromised at the mine, and there were long-standing issues regarding ventilation and the management of methane gas. Following the disaster, there was a significant public outcry over workplace safety, leading to the Royal Commission into the Westray Mine disaster, which examined not just the events of that day, but the regulatory environment governing mining operations in Canada. The Commission's findings called for sweeping reforms in mining safety, leading to legislative changes aiming to improve the protection of workers in hazardous occupations. The Westray disaster stands as a pivotal moment in the history of occupational health and safety regulations in Canada.