An investigation into the 2023 death of a construction worker in Chelsea, Quebec, revealed major management, communication, and organizational failings contributed to the tragedy. The worker, a 63-year-old man from Bouchette, was fueling a vehicle when a 10-wheel dump truck backed into him, pinning him fatally. The site was managed by Construction FGK.
According to Quebec’s workplace standards body, CNESST, the lack of clear instructions and planning for heavy vehicle movement played a critical role. “Reversing manoeuvres on a construction site must be carried out in a marked area where no one can move on foot or with the guidance of a site marshal,” said CNESST inspector Geneviève Cadotte. On that day, no instructions were given at the start of the shift, and the site marshal had not yet arrived when the incident occurred.
The report found the driver believed work had already started, underscoring a failure in communication from the project manager. Following the incident, CNESST halted all reversing operations on-site and required Construction FGK to implement a safe work plan for managing heavy vehicle movement. The company complied and cooperated fully with the investigation.
Steve McCann, director of Prevention-Inspection Service in the Outaouais, noted that 27 Quebec workers have died in the past five years due to heavy vehicle collisions. At least 577 are also believed to have suffered injuries due to a collision with a heavy vehicle, he added. The report, which aims to prevent similar tragedies, will be shared with companies, organizations, and Quebec’s Ministry of Education.
original source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/poor-management-communication-led-to-construction-worker-s-death-report-reveals-1.7218080
