‘Tomorrow is never promised’
More than $44,000 has been raised to support the two young sons of Hamilton shipyard supervisor Justin Smith, who died in a workplace incident at Pier 14 in Hamilton Harbour on Jan. 26.
A GoFundMe campaign titled “Support Jaxon & Jacob Smith, who tragically lost their Dad” has been launched to create a trust for the boys, Jaxson, 5, and Jacob, 3. The fundraiser shows more than $44,000 in donations toward a $50,000 goal from hundreds of contributors, with all funds, according to the page, going into a trust established for the children with the family’s permission.
The organiser describes the event as “an incredibly heartbreaking time” and notes that the boys will now grow up knowing their father “only through stories, memories and pictures.”
The campaign also urges supporters that if they cannot donate, they should “hold your people a little closer,” stressing that “tomorrow is never promised.”
Fatal incident at Ontario Shipyards
Smith, 29, died while working at Ontario Shipyards Inc., a ship repair facility at Hamilton’s Pier 14. According to earlier police and media reports, the worker had been removing snow near the end of the dock when a piece of equipment went into the water and he fell in as well.
Emergency responders from police, fire and paramedic services attended the scene and attempted to resuscitate him. He was transported to hospital without vital signs and later pronounced dead.
The incident occurred the day after a severe snowstorm in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, during snow-clearing operations around the pier. Ontario Shipyards, formerly Heddle Shipyards, has stated on its website that it strives to exceed industry standards for quality, health and safety.
Ministry investigation underway
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has launched a formal occupational health and safety investigation at the site, according to a report from CHCH.
The ministry has not released details about the specific equipment involved, the work process under way at the time of the incident or any preliminary findings. Officials have said they cannot provide further comment while the investigation is ongoing. No charges or orders have been announced.
The path to welding career
Smith had worked at Ontario Shipyards since the age of 21 and had progressed into a supervisory role. His mother, Barbara Smith, told Hamilton broadcaster CHCH that her son began welding in high school under the guidance of “a really fabulous teacher who put him on the path for his welding career” and that “he just excelled in it.”
She said he was known for mentoring co-workers, including women entering what she described as a male-dominated industry, and recounted that one worker told her at the funeral that Justin had “literally changed his life” by giving him an opportunity when others would not.
Barbara Smith described her son as “a very hands-on father” who “didn’t miss a thing” in his children’s lives and said much of his focus at work was driven by his responsibility as a single parent. She noted that she was struck by the number of colleagues who attended his funeral and by the impact he appeared to have had at a relatively young age.
Shipyard hazards
Shipyard workers face a multitude of hazards in the workplace, and work done at height increases the risk of injury according to the CDC.
CDC notes that other workplace hazards that are found in shipyards include:
- Chemical hazards include:
- Exposure to asbestos
- Welding fumes
- Metals
- A variety of paints, solvents and fuels
- Physical hazards include:
- Noise exposure
- Extreme temperatures
- Vibration
- Awkward body positions
- Risk of musculoskeletal injuries
- Hot work, confined space entry, exposure to hazardous air and work done at height all increase the risk of injury.
File photo from GoFundMe
