Man killed in Sherwood Park mill accident recalled as ‘conscientious, good driver’

A Saskatchewan man killed in a workplace accident at a Sherwood Park business Monday was a “conscientious, good driver” who had been working for his current employer since 2013.

The 57-year-old Canada Cartage driver was delivering ingredients to Hi-Pro Feeds’ mill in Sherwood Park when he was killed.

Early evidence indicates the man was killed while clearing a grain hopper.

“He was well-liked, a great member of our staff,” said David Zavitz, senior vice-president of Canada Cartage. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and co-worker. Our hearts go out to his family.”

The man, whose name is not being released, was found dead inside a grain hopper by a Hi-Pro Feeds employee shortly after 9 a.m. Monday.

Employees immediately called 911 and Strathcona emergency crews were on scene quickly, said Holly Nicoll, director of marketing for Hi-Pro Feeds.

“Everyone is quite saddened by the accident. We’re continuing to work with (our employees) and employee assistance is on site.”

Federal Occupational Health and Safety investigators took over the investigation Monday because Hi-Pro Feeds is a federally regulated employer and the vehicle was from out of province.

OHS and RCMP were continuing their investigation at Hi-Pro Feeds on Tuesday morning.

According to Alberta Labour statistics, there have been two workplace incident fatalities — where the death occurs at the work site — from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2017.

Three additional deaths occurred prior to 2017 but were accepted as workplace incident fatalities this year.

Statistics for March and April are not yet available.

In 2016, Alberta recorded 144 workplace deaths.

Of those, 38 were workplace incident fatalities and 29 were motor-vehicle fatalities that occurred while the employee was working.