July 21, 2008

Lack of training blamed for death of Canada Line mobile-crane operator

VANCOUVER

WorkSafe BC says a mobile-crane operator who died while working on the Canada Line rapid-transit project wasn’t sufficiently trained to operate the equipment.

Twenty-two-year-old Andy Slobodian died in January after the crane he was operating collapsed onto the deck of the North Arm Bridge, between Vancouver and Richmond.

The report says neither the worker nor his supervisor received proper training from their employer, SNC-Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc. and Rizzani De Eccher contrary to claims made by project officials at the time of the accident.

The report from the Workers’ Compensation Board says the crane tipped after Slobodian was ordered to move a load that was too heavy for the crane.

Canadian Press

Print | Email | Comment