Criminal probe urged in worker’s death

Unsafe conditions had been reported at building site, labour council says

The Ottawa Labour Council is calling for a criminal investigation after a 25-year-old man was struck and killed Wednesday by a large chunk of ice that fell on him at the bottom of a 31-metre construction pit at Preston Street and Carling Avenue.

Labour council president Sean McKenny said workers on several occasions had pointed out unsafe conditions due to the accumulation of ice at the Claridge Icon condominium construction pit at 505 Preston St.

“I can’t imagine that anyone just taking a glance down couldn’t see that, including Claridge Homes themselves,” McKenny said.

Claridge Homes refused to comment on Wednesday’s accident. Bellai Brothers Construction Ltd., the contractor working at the site Wednesday, could not be reached.

“They are supposed to be working in a safe environment, and clearly they are not,” McKenny said. “That’s the responsibility of the employer and the constructor.”

According to Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, a massive chunk of ice coating the wall of the pit the worker was in broke free and fell, striking the worker shortly after 7 a.m.

Paramedics used a large set of stairs to reach the man, and firefighters used a construction crane and a basket to bring him out of the hole.

Paramedics were waiting at the top of the pit to continue treatment and take him to the hospital. The man lost vital signs en route and could not be revived.