According to Janet Deline, a spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL), the accident happened during pipeline rehabilitation work conducted by LiquiForce, a company with headquarters in Kingsville. Chatham-based firm Henry Heyink Construction Ltd. was also involved in the work.
“A cable on the road was snagged by a passing vehicle, and that caused a worker to be injured,” said Deline, adding that the worker, a LiquiForce employee, had been sent to the hospital. “I don’t have any details on the worker’s condition.”
A Feb. 28 news release from the Chatham-Kent Police Service stated that its Traffic Management Unit had secured the site of the accident, on O’Neil Street south of Park Avenue West, and was investigating. Police requested that the public avoid the area and confirmed that there was no risk to public safety.
An inspector from the MOL also attended the scene and issued a stop-work order to LiquiForce for traffic protection, Deline said. Additional orders for documentation were issued to both LiquiForce and Henry Heyink.
“Our investigation’s still ongoing,” said Deline.
A source with Henry Heyink said that the company was cooperating with the MOL investigation, but could provide no further details about the incident. “Unfortunately, we don’t have enough solid concrete information at this time,” the source said.
LiquiForce did not respond to COHSN’s request for comment.
LiquiForce provides environmentally friendly, no-dig rehabilitation for pipeline systems, including those carrying clean water and wastewater, according to information from the company’s website.
Founded in 1979, Henry Heyink provides general contracting and civil construction in the Chatham-Kent area.
