September 12, 2012

Calgary worker injured in scaffolding collapse

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

A construction worker was injured after being hit by a piece of scaffolding that came down during at wind storm at a worksite in Calgary, Alberta.

“The man was working at ground level at a strip mall doing some plastering near where some scaffolding was being erected,” said Brookes Merritt, spokesperson for Alberta Occupational Health and Safety.

“High winds lifted a large aluminum plank from the structure. The plank flew nearly 50 feet through the air and hit the worker in the back of the head.”

The incident happened at about 2 p.m. on Sept. 10 at 10 Crowfoot Crossing, when the Calgary area was hammered by a sudden wind storm.

The man is employed by AB Exteriors Inc., which is a subcontractor for Ledcor on the project.

“The worker was conscious, when he was transported to hospital by Emergency Medical Services in stable condition,” said Merritt.

“He was released from hospital the next day with minor injuries, including scratches and a sore back.”

Merritt said the worker was wearing safety gear at the time of the incident, which probably protected him from a more serious injury.

“There were no witnesses, but a large gouge in the sod near where the worker was standing suggests the plank hit the ground near where the worker was standing,” he said.

This may have reduced some of the plank’s force before it struck the worker in the head.

A stop work order was issued on the project to ensure all building materials were secured in the wind storm.

The severe storm caused tree limbs to fall and land on vehicles, homes and power lines.

Emergency Services responded to about 60 calls in just two hours. The city has taken steps over the last couple of years to ensure construction materials are properly secured on worksites.

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