Blog Post #29 – Man Dies in Quarry Accident

Excerpt from ctvottawa.ca

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour is investigating a workplace accident that killed a 26-year-old man as he worked at a privately-owned quarry near Manotick. The man was working an excavator Thursday morning at 6107 First Line Rd., a jobsite owned by Green Valley Environmental, a waste water company specializing in septic system services. As he scooped up part of a 30-50-foot mound of rock and gravel with his machinery, it’s believed part of the pile collapsed, tumbling on top of him. The incident crushed the cab, with him inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

While the number of workplace accidents in Ontario is actually decreasing, the number of workplace fatalities is on the rise. In Ontario, the number of workplace fatalities has increased about 35 per cent in the last 10 years. In 1999, there were 234 deaths on the job-site. In 2008, that number was up to 335.

Recently, the president of a Sault Ste. Marie company was in court facing charges of criminal negligence causing death after a worker was killed.

The Centre for the Study of Living Standards says employers need to take more responsibility for the safety of their workers.

Although the Ministry of Labour (MOL) is investigating Thursday’s incident, no charges have been laid.

My opinion

As a trainer for WSIB (Workplace Safety Insurance Board) it has been my job to train health and safety people to get them ready to become certified members of any JHSC. (Joint health and safety committee)

One of the pieces of information that has been provided to me is the number of deaths in the workplace. The number is greater than the one reported by CTV. In 2008 there were 488 deaths in the workplace, a number far greater than the 335 reported. The MOL is doing everything it can to press upon all companies that their workers safety IS their responsibility.

Many companies believe they are complying with the ACT and its regulations BUT I do not believe they’ve even read the green book. Any health and safety co-ordinator, worth his/her weight, continually needs to make his/her superiors aware of the current legislation and any changes that occur. One can always quote section 25 (employers’ duties) if they cannot find other workplace specific legislation.

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at

Remember — In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.