December 24, 2009

VINCE VERSACE

Four workers were performing balcony repairs on a Kipling Avenue apartment building south of Steeles Avenue when their scaffolding collapsed.

Four construction workers die in Toronto on Christmas Eve

Fifth worker still in hospital after surviving 13-storey drop

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

Four construction workers plunged to their deaths in Toronto when a scaffold they were working on broke apart the afternoon of Christmas Eve. The workers were performing balcony repairs on a Kipling Avenue apartment building south of Steeles Avenue.

A fifth worker is still in hospital with reported shattered legs after surviving the 13-storey drop. ..The workers are reportedly migrant workers, ranging in age from their 20s to 30s. It is believed no one was wearing a safety harness or was "tied off" at the time of the accident.

At least two safety lines were still mounted, hanging, intact and readily visible at the scene. A metal bucket, used to hoist cement or debris created by repairs, dangled between the two pieces of scaffolding. High winds Christmas Day caused all three pieces to sway perilously above Toronto police and Ministry of Labour investigators near the scene at ground level.

Giulio Paglia, a retired veteran tradesman, was at the scene Christmas Day to try and understand what happened. Paglia has worked on raised scaffolding platforms before and says he always stressed to younger workers the importance of safety ties and harnesses. Paglia said that over his career he did see workers shun their safety harnesses for increased mobility and better comfort.

“It is a dangerous place up there like anywhere else,” said Paglia. “When you have your safety ties on, you do not have to be as afraid.”

The labour ministry is still investigating the accident and no official cause has been determined or announced.

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