Worker was crushed by a temporary barrier while forming concrete, says report
Ontario will be holding an inquest into the death of one construction worker who was crushed by a temporary barrier back in 2020.
The inquest will look into the details surrounding the death of 33-year-old Christopher Panepinto.
Panepinto died on Feb. 10, 2020, while working on a construction site in Pickering.
Panepinto was crushed by a temporary barrier while he and other workers were forming concrete for a new retirement community in Pickering, CBC reported, citing a statement from the worker’s brother.
Delgant Limited, the construction company that had employed Panepinto, was charged with health and safety violations in July 2022 in connection with the death.
However, the Crown withdrew the charges after it concluded it couldn't finish the case within 18 months, the timeline established for provincial offences by the Jordan decision, a 2016 ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada.
The Crown informed the worker’s family of that decision via email in December 2022, according to CBC.
Further details regarding the inquest, including the date and location, will be provided at a later date, according to the Ontario government.
During the inquest, the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.
