Brother of deceased says he sees video of fall 'every time I close my eyes'
The brother of a young man who died in a workplace fall seven years ago told a court he will never stop reliving the moment he saw a video of his sibling take his final step off the roof.
Brandon Alcorn, 22, died in March 2018 after falling from the roof of a Kent Building Supplies store under construction in Dartmouth, N.S.
As reported by CBC, Steven Alcorn gave an emotional statement in Dartmouth provincial court during the sentencing of Insulated Panel Structures, an Ontario-based contractor, and site foreman Jeff Gooch. Both had been convicted of violating Nova Scotia’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
"In seven years, I’ve started to forget what his voice sounded like, the sound of his laugh," Steven said in his victim impact statement.
"But I can tell you what I’ll never forget—watching the video of Brandon taking his last step off the roof of the Kent building and falling to his death. I see it every time I close my eyes, and I always will."
He added that their father passed away last summer without ever seeing anyone held accountable for his son’s death.
Insulated Panel Structures pleaded guilty to failing to enforce the use of fall protection on four separate days, including March 13, 2018—the day of Brandon’s fatal fall.
Foreman Jeff Gooch admitted to failing to ensure workers used fall protection on two occasions, including the day of the incident. He also pleaded guilty to providing false information to OHS investigators.
Crown prosecutor Alex Keaveny noted that surveillance footage from a neighbouring business was pivotal in uncovering what happened. He said without the video, investigators might never have learned the full details of the incident.
Gooch had previously been acquitted of criminal negligence, with the court noting that Brandon had been impaired by drugs at the time of his death.
At sentencing, the Crown and defence presented a joint submission. Judge Jamie Van Wart imposed a $100,000 fine on Insulated Panel Structures, plus $15,000 in victim fine surcharges.
Jeff Gooch was fined $14,000 and ordered to deliver eight safety presentations and complete 100 hours of community service.
