Worker sustained injuries while operating a work truck
A 37-year-old man died after a workplace incident in New Brunswick last week, and three agencies are looking into the matter.
The incident happened on Jan. 18. The worker sustained injuries while operating a work truck in the Spruce Lake Industrial Park in West Saint John, according to a new release from the Saint John Police Force.
Employees and first responders rendered first aid to the man at a little past 12:30 p.m.
The worker was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead. No one else was physically injured during the incident.
The police did not provide any further details, but CBC reported that the incident happened at Frank's Mobile Repair, an automotive repair shop on Galbraith Place.
Also, asked to clarify whether "operating a work truck," means "driving," Staff Sgt. Sean Rocca said police are not providing any other details "to protect the integrity of the investigation,” according to the report.
He did say, however, the police see what happened as an accident.
"What I'm prepared to tell you at this point is that at this time in their investigation, there's no evidence to suggest that a criminal offence was involved,” he said in the CBC report.
"However they're still at the very preliminary stages of the investigation and we are not ruling out anything until the investigation is totally complete and all the evidence has been collected and analyzed."
The Saint John Police Major Crime Unit and Forensic Services, the Coroner’s Office, and WorkSafeNB were called to investigate.
And WorkSafeNB said that the investigation may last a long time.
"An investigation allows us to better understand the cause of incidents and fatalities and are a key element to preventing similar recurrences," WorkSafeNB spokesperson Laragh Dooley told CBC via email.
"Complex investigations, such as those involving a fatality can take 12 months or more to conclude because the process involves thorough examination of the incident site, witness statements, examination of any machinery or equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) present, work procedures and whether the injured worker(s) received adequate training and supervision.”
