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Construction halted after worker killed at Children’s Hospital construction site
WATCH ABOVE: Eric Ndayishimiye, has been identified by friends as the 21-year-old man killed while working at the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan construction site. Meaghan Craig reports – Jul 22, 2016
Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) launched its investigation Friday morning into what may have led to the death of a 21-year-old labourer while on the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan‘s job site.
At around 3:35 p.m. CT on Thursday, Saskatoon police were called to an industrial accident at the construction site.
Nearly 24 hours later, few details are known about what may have happened or why. Friends have identified the victim as Eric Ndayishimiye of Saskatoon.
Officials who addressed the media said they did so with heavy hearts and the construction company in charge, Graham Construction, said initial reports indicate the victim was killed when a steel construction lift fell on him.
“We want to offer our deepest, deepest sympathies to the family. This is a tragic event and we want to do everything to ensure that it never happens again,” said Colin Anderson, vice president of Graham Construction.
All job site employees will remain at home until further notice. According to Anderson, grief counseling is being offered.
“I don’t know anything about the victim other than his age,” he said.
In addition to that, the only detail Anderson could confirm was that the 21-year-old had been a recent hire with the company — within the last six months.
Ndayishimiye’s death will mark the second incident on site for the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan. In November, a forklift operator punctured the windows of a patient’s room.A new set of safety standards were implemented at that time, along with a safety committee to try to prevent future close calls.
“I don’t that anything failed. Safety is very important to us, we take every incident very seriously,” Anderson said.
“I guess we’ll let Occupational Health and Safety fill us in on what the details are and then we’ll better know what corrective measures may have to take place,” he said.WATCH: Colin Anderson, Graham Construction vice president, and Dan Florizone, Saskatoon Health Region president and CEO, provide an update Friday into the death of a man at the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan site.
Officials update fatality at Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan construction site
According to the Saskatoon Health Region’s president and CEO, Dan Florizone, the region wanted to extend its condolences to all those who have been left grieving as a result of the incident.
He would not speculate as to what happened on site Thursday. He said he was pleased to see all recommendations from the first incident put in place upon returning as CEO and president.
“Unfortunately, it’s not safe enough and that is reflected by this tragedy yesterday,” he said.
“We’ll allow the investigators to do their work, we’ll see what the recommendations tell us–and until we’re assured, Graham is assured and Saskatchewan Labour and Workplace Safety is assured that that site is safe — it won’t be reopened for construction.”
How long the investigation will take to complete is still unclear. Officials said OHS can take as long as it wants and do whatever it takes to get the information it needs.
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