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2nd worker dies after pair of construction accidents
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By: ctvbc.ca
Date: Monday Dec. 6, 2010 3:01 PM PT
A construction worker who fell 14 metres while repairing the sails at Vancouver's Canada Place last week has died of his injuries.
Diego Herrara, a rope access technician from Houston, Texas was taken to hospital after the fall on Thursday morning, and had been on life support ever since. WorkSafe BC says that he died on Saturday.
The repair project was run by the Ledcor Group, and Herrara was a sub-contractor with BirdAir.
Ledcor was also responsible for the Three Harbour Green condominium development on Thurlow Street, where a second worker died in a workplace accident on Thursday. Dan Martens, 28, was killed after a wall form came loose from the building and fell on him.
The company and WorkSafe BC are investigating the accidents and both sites remain closed while the investigations are underway.
Thirty-five Ledcor job sites were closed on Monday while project managers and supervisors met to discuss the accidents.
There is an average of 10 construction industry fatalities a year in British Columbia. Falling and being struck by objects are the two top causes of death in the construction industry.
With files from CTV British Columbia's Peter Grainger
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from the kootenays |
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My condolences to the two families of these men. After saying that, I find it very odd that you would have two accidents, ( now deaths ) from the " same " company on the same day and two different locations. I've worked in heavy industry all my life and this " just " doesnt happen .. I do know large companies do have really poor safety practices. Alot of larger companies in B.C. have a " white wash " style saftey program ,,, |
SVCR |
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Sorry to hear of his passing.But I have to wonder why is a man from Texas is working here when we have so many Canadians out of work? |
keeping it real |
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Regarding: "Alot of larger companies in B.C. have a " white wash " style saftey program"First, this is a horrible tragedy. My condolences go out to the families and friends of the workers who lost their lives. No one should go to work and not come home. Sadly, it does happen and it's extremely unfortunate. On the "white wash" style safety program comment, research should be done before stating this. Currently, Ledcor has a great safety program and takes safety extremely seriously. Safety personnel cannot stand by every person on every job site to ensure that every worker does every task in accordance with their safety policies. I know any construction worker wouldn't like that either. Human error accounts for a lot of incidents - unhooking from one tie-off point before hooking onto another, doing something they weren't supposed to be doing, not wearing fall gear, not checking it, doing "quick fixes," etc. Safety procedures and personnel can only do so much to prevent accidents and at some point, the workers have to be trusted to follow procedure and refuse work or ask questions if they have doubts or concerns. Where do you draw the line? People far too often blame the company the minute something goes wrong, and sometimes it is 100% the management/company's fault and sometimes the workers did something wrong or took a shortcut, and until the cause is known, assumptions and blame should not be assigned. I'm sure Ledcor feels awful about these deaths and is taking the matter very seriously. It's a terrible tragedy but the finger pointing should be left until after the investigations. I'm in construction but not Ledcor employed and this is simply my opinion. |
Concerned |
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First of all. My condolences to the families of these terrible accidents.I don't think it really matters "Why?" somebody is working in Canada, Im sure this is the last of everyone's concerns.My thoughts are with the family during this horrible time. |
Raj |
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To SVCR:This is not the forum for the discussion of the economy and unemployment. Sadly, two men died and our concern here should be to offer our condolences to their families and to examine the nature of their accidents.Very odd to have two men working for the same company die at two different sites on the same day, indeed. Hopefully this will serve as a wake up call to the industries involved. My condolences to the families and loved ones of these two men. |
Maria |
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Have to totally agree with "keeping it real". My daughters dad has worked for them and they do care about safety. They are a good company to work for. My condolances to the familes. I don't know how people can judge what happened when you don't even know the full story. Let them do their investigation and then make your judgements. |
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