Date of incident: September 2023
Notice of incident number: 2023183340010
Employers: Two construction companies (one as prime contractor)

Incident summary
A worker was cutting plywood on the roof of a house as part of a residential re-roofing project. The worker fell approximately 5.5 m (18 ft.) to the ground below and sustained fatal injuries.

Investigation conclusions

Cause

• Worker without fall protection system fell from height. The worker was not wearing an effective fall protection system at the time of the incident, despite the existence of fall hazards of 3 m (10 ft.) or more. Additionally, proper anchoring for a fall arrest system was not being used, and lifelines were not correctly connected. Had an adequate fall protection system been in place to protect the worker on the roof, this incident likely would not have occurred.

Contributing factors

• Inadequate supervision. The prime contractor had experience in construction and working at heights above 3 m (10 ft.) and was hired to plan the work, hire appropriate workers and subcontractors, supply the materials, and complete the roofing part of the job. The prime contractor did not correct the inadequate fall protection systems and did not ensure that the workers were trained in fall protection systems for working at heights before allowing that work.
• Inadequate coordination at multiple-employer workplace. The prime contractor failed to coordinate the occupational health and safety activities of employers, workers, and other persons at the workplace. The prime contractor did not provide any oversight to the workers who were required to do work at heights of 3 m (10 ft.) or more and failed to ensure that it and its subcontractors adhered to the requirements of the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The prime contractor did not provide any documentation to investigators, and there were no records to show that it had an effective occupational health and safety program.

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