CALGARY – Friends and family are mourning the death of a young Enmax worker and volunteer firefighter.
Nathan Haase was known as a young, funny and kind man. He was well-liked by all who knew him.
Paramedics say Haase, in his med-twenties, was electrocuted Tuesday after coming in contact with a live wire while working on a pole in the southwest Calgary community of Glenbrooke.
Haase had worked at the Strathmore rural fire department for four years as a volunteer.
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“It really saddens me,” says Strathmore Fire Chief Mark Heilman. “He is a member of our family. We call everybody here brothers and sisters.”
Haase was also a journeyman electrician who had just begun an apprenticeship with Enmax working as a power line technician.
Dean of the SAIT School of Construction says it’s a job that can be extremely dangerous.
“You’re dealing with a changing environment where there are high voltages and one slip up or mistake could potentially be fatal,” says Larry Rosia.
In light of those risks, some are calling for stricter regulations. The Utility Worker’s Association says new rules put apprentices at work. Companies are allowed to hire fewer journeyman.
“Apprentices might be left out there to do work they’re not capable of doing without supervision from a journeyman,” says union representative Grace Thostenson.
Occupational Health and Safety has launched an investigation into the incident.
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