Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction workers paused for a moment of silence on Wednesday, at the London worksite where two workers died on the job in a partial building collapse last December.
The tragedy was also mentioned at a Day of Mourning ceremony hosted virtually by the London and District Labour Council.
“Our heart breaks for them,” said Kelly Ziegner, director of the United Way London and Middlesex.
“The work of the labour movement is so relevant and important and we see it show up at the doors of the United Way. We believe workers deserve a fair shot for a good life and no one should fear for their life.”
According to a CBC article referencing Ontario Labour Ministry statistics, 19 workers died while working on construction jobs in the fiscal year ending in 2014. In each year since, the number of deaths has stayed relatively constant, averaging slightly fewer than 20 a year.
The number of critical workplace injuries in the construction sector also increased from 231 in the 2014 to 357 in 2019.
Concrete workers John Martens, 21 and Henry Harder, 26 were killed in the Dec. 11 collapse at a four-storey building under construction and five construction workers were hurt. A Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development investigation into the incident is underway.
Concrete workers John Martens, 21 and Henry Harder, 26 were killed in the Dec. 11 collapse and five construction workers were hurt. A Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development investigation into the incident is underway.
Across the province flags were lowered, virtual ceremonies were held and tributes were posted online on April 28, the 30th annual Day of Mourning across Canada.
Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development, spoke at several events, including a WSIB commemoration.
He remembered construction workers who were killed on the job in Ontario this past year, and spoke about the province’s commitment to preventing work-related accidents through proper training and safety regulations.
“When we talk about healthy and safe workplaces, we also need to remember other hazards. This (past) December five workers lost their lives on construction sites in London, Toronto and Oshawa,” McNaughton said. “These deaths, and all other workplace deaths are devastating.
“These tragedies can be prevented through training, following safety regulations and letting workers know they have the right to refuse to work in an unsafe environment.”
Government must work with health and safety partners because there is a shared responsibility to keep Ontario workers safe, he said.
“Let’s honour those we have lost by committing to be better.”
COVID-19 is a new and potentially lethal workplace hazard that must be addressed.
“If anything, the pandemic has shown us that that most people will do the right thing when they know how and why and understand the risks to themselves and their loved ones,” said Tom Bell, acting WSIB president.
“But the need to protect people at work did not begin with the onset of this pandemic … nor will it cease with its end. The pandemic has made us all ambassadors for health and safety beyond the virus.”