Ron Hill fell while working on the weekend at a building owned by his employer
The family and former colleagues of Ron Hill, a man from western Quebec, are demanding answers and hoping to prevent similar tragedies after his workplace death went unreported publicly. Hill, who was close to retirement at the age of 63, tragically lost his life on September 10 when he was struck by machinery and fell from a building on property owned by his employer, Southgate Carpets Inc., in Ottawa's rural southeast outskirts.
Ontario's Ministry of Labour is now investigating the incident as a workplace fatality, issuing four orders against Southgate Carpets Inc. This action is typically taken when a company is found to have violated health and safety regulations. Hill's family, perplexed by the circumstances of his death as a floor installer involved in a roofing incident, is seeking clarity on the safety precautions taken by Southgate Carpets.
Hill's sister, Lynn Chénier, spoke to CBC News and says, "when you do flooring [and] you install carpet, you don't expect to die." Sean McKenny, the president of the Ottawa & District Labour Council, added, "Hill went to work that day expecting to be home."
Hill was known as a hardworking and dependable individual, dedicated to his job as a floor installer. He had previously worked for Capital Tile & Flooring Ltd. but switched to Southgate Carpets when his former employer couldn't guarantee him full-time work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leslie Morgan, the office manager at Capital Tile, remembered Hill fondly, stating, "I've been thinking a lot about him. He is so deserving of finality."
Hill's family revealed that he frequently worked on weekends to secure extra income for his planned retirement at the age of 65. However, they had concerns about his fatigue and safety while working extended hours. Hill's sister, Colleen Baird, shared her worries, saying, "Ronnie wanted to have extra work because … he wanted to retire when he was 65."
The incident occurred on property owned by Mohamad Charaf, the president of Southgate Carpets. Hill fell nearly four meters from a wall at a construction site in the rural community of Edwards. Co-workers attempted CPR, but Hill was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Ministry of Labour and the Ottawa Police Service have both conducted investigations, with no evidence of criminality found.
Despite their lack of suspicion regarding foul play, Hill's family expressed disappointment that Charaf did not attend the funeral. Charaf declined to comment on the advice of his lawyer, which Cheryl A. Edwards, a former Ministry of Labour prosecutor, explained is not uncommon for owners and supervisors in such cases.
Hill's family is now seeking answers regarding the qualifications of the machinery operator and the safety measures in place at the time of the incident. However, they may face a lengthy wait as the Ministry of Labour's investigation could take months. Recent changes in the law allow for up to two years to decide if Occupational Health and Safety Act charges are warranted.
Louise Martel, who lost her partner in a workplace incident, offered her support and advice to Hill's family, saying, "Don't give up. Make sure you have answers." As they await the results of the investigation, Hill's family and colleagues continue to seek closure and clarity surrounding the tragic loss of a beloved family member and coworker.
