Ontario Ministry of Labour concludes investigation into incident that killed two, including a site worker
Two people were killed and several injured after a building collapse took place in London, Ont., almost a year ago on Dec. 12, 2020.
The deadly incident occurred when the Teeple Terrace building, which was under construction, partially caved in. The four-storey apartment building collapse was captured on video at the time and shared on social media.
Images showed survivors trying to remove debris to escape.
One of the workers at the site was killed immediately, while another worker was found dead in the rubble after rescuers searched for hours.
Now, the Canadian Press reports that two businesses and an individual are facing workplace safety charges in relation to the collapse.
These charges were laid after the Ontario Ministry of Labour concluded its investigation.
In total, the ministry has laid eight charges under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
“The Ministry has been working tirelessly to determine the cause of this tragedy and has now concluded its investigation.
Any company in Ontario that thinks worker safety is just the cost of doing business should think twice because they will quickly feel the full force of the law.
We owe it to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims to ensure something like this never happens again,” said Labour Minister Monte McNaughton in a written statement.
CTV News London reports that the deadly incident shook the local community; in the days after the collapse, residents left construction vests and hats on their porches to honour the victims.
Six charges have been laid against iSpan Systems LP, including one count of failing to ensure that a building or structure is capable of supporting any loads that may be applied to it in accordance with good engineering practice.
East Elgin Concrete Forming Ltd. faces one charge of failing to provide information, instruction, and supervision to a worker to protect the health and safety of a worker
And one charge has also been laid against an as-of-yet unnamed individual for providing negligent advice that endangered a worker.
The first court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2022.
