Four workers were sent to hospital following incident at construction site
One order and two requirements have been issued to a construction company after four workers were hurt in a what appears to be a ceiling collapse.
It happened Thursday morning in Burlington, Ontario at the former site of Robert Bateman High School.
According to a statement sent to Canadian Occupational Safety from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the four workers were transported to hospital, but the extent of their injuries have not been disclosed.
“A ministry inspector, hygienist and a structural engineer have been assigned,” reads the statement.
The ministry says one order and two requirements have been issued to the constructor, Jobi Construction Ltd. It also says three of the injured workers were employed by a sub-contractor, Gomez Demolition.
CTV News reports that video footage showed patients being carried away on stretchers by paramedics, indicating the injuries may be serious.
“As the ministry’s investigation is ongoing, and to protect the integrity of the investigation, we are not able to share further information at this time,” reads the statement.
According to a local news outlet, workers were conducting asbestos abatement at the building and police say the asbestos at the site meant firefighters were forced to wear protective gear before rescuing the workers.
The building is being turned into a new community hub after it was purchased by the City of Burlington in 2022 for $30 million. The asbestos removal process is being done in phases with a completion target of early 2024.
The incident raises concerns about construction site safety, and local authorities, along with the Ministry of Labour, are expected to work diligently to determine the exact cause of the ceiling collapse and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The injured workers continue to receive medical care and support.
As the investigation progresses, additional information is expected to emerge, shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Safety remains a paramount concern, and steps are expected to be taken to ensure the well-being of workers on construction sites.
