December 16, 2009

Shifting slab led to worker’s death on bridge in Oakville, Ontario

Aecon Construction ordered to ensure a fall-protection system is put in place

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

When the concrete slab a worker was cutting shifted below him, it triggered a quick series of events that led to his death on the Bronte Road bridge in Oakville, Ont., according to the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

The worker was on the bridge, located at the westbound Queen Elizabeth Way and Bronte Road in Oakville, cutting a slab of concrete using a walk-behind cutter on Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 15).

The slab shifted, causing him to fall to a scaffolding system, almost 11 feet below, set up underneath the concrete bridge deck.

The concrete slab then broke free, fell and landed on the worker.

The worker was pronounced dead at the scene, the Ministry of Labour reports.

The employer of the deceased is Cobi Concrete, which was subcontracted by Northern Machinery. The project constructor is Aecon Construction.

Five orders and three requirements were issued to Aecon by the ministry in the aftermath of the accident. Among the orders are that Aecon ensure a fall-protection system is put in place for workers where they are exposed to a fall of approximately 3.25 metres.

Aecon is to provide this plan to the ministry inspector before cutting on the bridge resumes Dec. 21.

Aecon has also been ordered to supply plans that specify how workers cutting the deck will be protected from fall hazards and how the constructor plans to remove the concrete deck that fell on the scaffolding before work continues in the project area.

Among the ministry’s requirements is that the concrete deck that fell on to the scaffolding is to be weighed after it is secured.

Also, orientation packages for Northern Machinery and Cobi Concrete at the project are to be provided among a series of documentation required by the ministry.

Northern Machinery is required to also provide a series of documents ranging from health and safety policy to load charts for the excavator used to remove the concrete decking.

Cobi Concrete is also required to provide documents such as the manual for the concrete cutter used by the worker on the day of the accident and maintenance records for the previous two concrete cutters used at the project.

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