CSST investigates fatal roofer slip in Pointe Claire

The Commission de Santé et Sécurité au Travail (CSST) is looking into the untimely death of a 43-year-old roofer who appeared to lose his footing and fell right on a metal pole sticking out of the ground while working on a project in Pointe Claire on Monday. "Unfortunately, he fell on a pointy metal pole—the kind that' used to mark off property—and he was fatally wounded," explained Pierre Turgeon, spokesperson for CSST, Quebec's public insurer of workplace safety.

Witnesses said several police cars and fire trucks surrounded the home where the tragedy occurred at about 8 a.m Monday. "I only saw them taking the body away at 11:30 a.m.," said Sylvie Chano, who lives next to the house in question.

Today, the top of the pole itself was covered by a white bucket, with a flower and wreath resting alongside.

The man lived in Salaberry de Valleyfield and worked for Blainville-based Couvreurs ML Enregistrés, said Turgeon. "If he had only fallen right next to the pole, maybe he wouldn't even have died," Chano remarked.

She questioned why construction workers are not required by law to wear harnesses of any sort to prevent accidents. "Nobody forces them to put this kind of gear on," she said.

This was the second recent workplace tragedy in the West Island.

On Oct. 23 on Clark Graham Street in Baie d'Urfé's industrial park, a metal recycling company employee was accidentally crushed to death by a 675-pound steel demolition ball that a crane operator dropped on him inadvertently. "The (operator) is in hospital for shock treatment," explained Turgeon, adding CSST investigators would interview him once he has recuperated enough from his trauma to be able to speak. "We do not know what caused him to let go of the demolition ball," said Turgeon.

That accident occurred on the grounds of Montréal Tracteur.

The CSST handles investigations related to workplace fatalities once police determines they were accidental, said Turgeon.

Recommendations are then filed to involved companies or employers if additional safety measures to prevent future similar accidents are deemed necessary. Turgeon said the CSST may also ask the employer to pay fines if regulations are found to have been broken.