N.B. coroner’s inquest shares recommendations to improve workplace safety within high-risk industries
A coroner’s inquest into the death of Louis Gagnon has concluded, with the jury classifying his death as the result of an accident.
According to a news release from the New Brunswick government, Gagnon died on Jan. 27, 2020, “as a result of injuries sustained while working at the Belledune Generating Station.”
The inquest – which is a formal court proceeding, but does not make findings of legal responsibility or assign blame – was held from Feb. 20 to 22 at the Campbellton courthouse. The five-member jury heard from 14 witnesses.
The jury made the following recommendations for high-risk industries, aimed a preventing deaths under similar circumstances:
- That before any project begins, a competent person or competent persons should be appointed to inspect the positioning and strength of the anchors and other support equipment (both existing and newly installed) required for the project, using the appropriate tools.
- That the entry of anyone into a confined space should be announced, so that those present are informed and the person entering is added to the attendance register.
- That employers and employees ensure they have the necessary and appropriate materials to perform the assigned task in a safe environment.
- That the line of fire should be clearly marked (for example, by red tape) with a label indicating the reason for the tape and the name of the person who placed the tape and has the authority to grant permission to enter the danger zone.
- That the line of fire should be visually indicated during tailgate meetings. If the line of fire changes during the day, work should stop and a meeting should be held to identify the new line-of-fire zone.
- That there should be direct and regular verbal communication among all persons assigned to the same project and radio communication if the distance is too great to see or hear the persons concerned.
For WorkSafeNB and high-risk industries:
- That employers ensure that anyone working on rigging systems are trained by a person certified in all equipment and materials that could be used on a project and that this training is always up to date.
Additional recommendations were made by deputy chief coroner Emily Caissie, who presided over the inquest:
- That NB Power for any project either internal or contracted out, where mechanical pulling is required, requires the establishment of a pull plan completed by engineers. The pull plan should include, but not be limited to:
- Theoretical calculation and physical verification of the applied tension on any anchor points.
- What material/equipment should be used.
- How and where to install said material/equipment accompanied with visual images for the plan.
- Pull step with a checklist.
- Inspection protocols following the installation of the material/equipment prior to the start of the work.
- Establish a formal process that must be followed if any deviation to the original plan needs to be made.
“The chief coroner will forward these recommendations to the appropriate agencies for consideration and response,” reads the release.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada
H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of US dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.
There's a limit to how much interest rates in Canada and U.S. can diverge: Macklem
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canadian interest rates don't have to match U.S. or global rates, but there is a limit to how much they can diverge.
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.
Should I invest with a human or a robot? Traditional firms vs. robo-advisors
Investors considering where to park their money have a choice: go with a traditional financial adviser or trust in an algorithm. Here are the pros and cons of both.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Imagine living in a 4-foot body that doesn't develop chronic diseases
Nathaly Paola Castro Torres has a rare disorder called Laron syndrome that is caused by a genetic mutation. It stunts her growth but also provides a hidden silver lining: Her body is protected from chronic diseases such as cancer that often take life away long before old age.
'Oh, there you go': Tyler Black, son of veteran broadcaster Rod Black, has memorable Major League Baseball debut
Canadian baseball player Tyler Black made a major splash in his first-ever big league game for the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.