May 2, 2008

Construction Safety Association of Ontario

Father recounts story of son’s promising life and tragic workplace death

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

Jim Sandford recently drove home the issue of workplace safety to Construction Safety Association of Ontario (CSAO) members by retelling the tragic story of his son’s workplace death three years ago.

“The absolute worst day of my life came on March 29, 2005,” said Sandford. “That morning I received a call that my son had fallen and was seriously hurt.”

Sandford spoke at the CSAO’s recent annual general meeting in Mississauga on the national Day of Mourning. Sandford was joined by his wife Velvette, who sat by her husband, as he relived the life and death of his son Jim Jr.

“Safety is about more than a workplace safety poster,” said Sandford. “By sharing Jim’s story we want people to know that you have the right to feel and be safe in your workplace.”

Sandford had worked in the elevator industry since 1973 and his son Jim Jr. followed, becoming an elevator constructor in London, Ont., after graduating from university.

Jim Jr. died because of injuries he sustained when the elevator platform he had been working on had rammed into the top of an elevator shaft at free-fall speed. The weight compensation on the elevator was too heavy, explained Sandford.

“Weeks of investigation by the Ministry of Labour confirmed what I already knew — miscalculation, lack of supervision and inexperience had killed our son,” said Sandford.

“The emotional drain from this needless tragedy was compounded by the fact Jim had called me for advice minutes before he fell.”

The labour ministry investigation concluded that the company Jim Jr. had worked for did not have the right safety standards and practices in place which could have prevented Jim Jr.’s death. The company was charged with failing to provide proper training to Jim and his immediate supervisor and a fine was levied against it.

The Sandfords attended the sentencing and read victim impact statements to convey to the court and the employer the devastating effect their son’s death had on their family.

“Closure for this tragedy is not a reality — we miss Jim everyday,” Sandford said.

The Sandfords are members of Threads of Life, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting families who have experienced a workplace fatality, life-altering workplace injury or occupational disease.

Steps for Life is a 5 km family walk on Sunday, May 4, organized by Threads of Life intended to raise awareness of injury prevention and support member families.

To donate, sponsor a walker or for more information, visit www.stepsforlife.ca

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