UPDATE: Stair collapse at Brockville construction site triggers provincial safety probe

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour has launched an investigation after a construction worker was critically injured when part of a concrete staircase collapsed at a job site in Brockville on May 28.

As previously reported by Brockvilleist, emergency crews responded to a 911 call at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, at a multi-level building under construction at 1481 Windsor Drive. Brockville police said in a media release that day that a portion of a concrete staircase gave way and fell, pinning the worker in the stairwell.

The worker was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

In an emailed statement to Brockvilleist, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development confirmed it was notified of a workplace incident that occurred in Brockville on May 28.

“It was reported that a worker was critically injured as a result of falling material,” the statement reads. “A ministry inspector attended the scene the same day. The employer, DBM Contracting (Ottawa Inc.), was issued two orders under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). As the investigation is ongoing, no further details are available at this time.”

In response to inquiries about the worker’s current state, Brockville police’s Inspector Darryl Boyd said that “once a patient is gone to hospital, we have a difficult time getting updates on health due to privacy depending on circumstances. We may not hear anymore regarding his status, unfortunately. Officers here want to know as well.”

He said that the Brockville Police Service’s role was to assist with safety and preserving evidence for the ministry’s investigators.

“There will be no implications from the police,” Boyd confirmed, “unless there is something that comes out of the ministry’s investigation. However, we do not suspect anything of the sort.”

Locally, the incident is being recognized as a remarkable demonstration of inter-agency cooperation, professionalism, and commitment to public safety.

“Thank you to everyone who played a role in bringing this operation to a safe and successful conclusion,” the Brockville Fire Department said in a social media post.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the following agencies and professionals for their dedication and teamwork:”

• Ottawa Fire Services

• Brockville Police Service

• Leeds and Grenville Paramedics

• Elizabethtown-Kitley Fire Department

• Ornge Air Ambulance

• The doctors and nurses at Brockville General Hospital

• The on-site contractors

Brockvilleist will continue to provide more information on this matter and they are made available.