Worker’s identity, age, employer has not been disclosed
Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is investigating a man's death in a tow truck-related industrial accident at a Brampton yard, triggering employer reporting duties.
The incident happened on Wednesday.
Peel police were called to Auction Lane, near Queen Street and Goreway Drive, at 4:15 p.m., CTV News Toronto reported. Emergency crews found the man "without vital signs" and performed CPR, but he "was pronounced dead at the scene," police said, according to CBC News.
Police have not said how the tow truck was involved, insauga.com reported, nor released the man's identity, age, occupation or employer.
Ministry leads, police assist
The ministry told CBC that inspectors "have been assigned to go to the scene." Insauga.com later reported they had attended.
Police said the ministry leads the probe, assisted by 21 Division's criminal investigation bureau. Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) reported a similar arrangement in May after a tow truck driver killed in a Brampton workplace incident.
In such cases, police "investigate if there's any element of criminality," Peel police's Taylor Halfyard said in May, COS previously reported.
Employer duties after a death
Section 51(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires employers to immediately notify a ministry inspector when a worker is killed or critically injured, file a written report within 48 hours and notify the joint health and safety committee or representative and any union. Some non-worker deaths are also reportable (Government of Ontario). COS has examined how Ontario's fatality and critical injury notice rules compare with Alberta's.
Section 51(2) bars anyone from disturbing the scene until an inspector permits it. Inspectors who find violations may issue orders or lay charges (Workplace Safety North).
The ministry recorded 28 worker deaths and 2,187 critical injuries in its industrial program in 2024-25, a six-year critical-injury high (Government of Ontario).
Managing vehicles in the yard
Yards mixing trucks, mobile equipment and pedestrians need an exterior traffic plan, according to the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS). "If traffic is left haphazard or unpredictable, oftentimes you'll see problems," said WSPS consultant Norm Kramer.
WSPS recommends marking pedestrian-vehicle crossing points, requiring high-visibility vests and keeping yards well lit.
Under the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, tow operators and, since July 1, 2024, tow truck drivers need provincial certificates.
COS has also covered tow truck operators calling for tougher roadside protections.
No official has linked these rules to the death.
