Fall at construction site claims life of worker, 33
August 1, 2017
By
Jeff Cottrill
Victim of Calgary accident originally from P.E.I.
(Canadian OH&S News) — A 33-year-old construction worker from Prince Edward Island has died after he fell off a roof in Calgary on July 24.
A spokesperson with the Calgary Police Service (CPS) said that police had been called to a construction site on Mahogany Mews SE at about 3:20 p.m. that day, following reports of a male worker falling off a roof of a four-storey building.
“He was confirmed deceased at the scene by EMS,” the spokesperson added. After the CPS determined that the death had been accidental, “we notified a medical examiner and Occupational Health and Safety in Alberta, and they’re now handling the investigation.”
Shirley Lyn, public-affairs officer for the Alberta Ministry of Labour, confirmed that the Ministry’s oh&s department was investigating the incident, but could not provide further details.
It was unclear at press time whether the victim was using fall-protection equipment at the time of the accident. “That’s part of the investigation,” said Lyn.
The victim was later publicly identified as Tyler Wallace MacDonald, who was originally from Georgetown, P.E.I. According to his obituary on the website for Ferguson-Logan Montague Funeral Home in Montague, P.E.I., MacDonald left behind his girlfriend Cara Butler, his parents, two siblings and other relatives.
“Tyler will be greatly missed by his family, friends, co-workers and all who came to know and love him,” the obituary stated.
His funeral was held at Ferguson-Logan on the morning of July 31. The ceremony was livestreamed online, according to the home’s website.
“A workplace accident took this young man far too soon. He was very much loved by everyone in my hometown,” P.E.I. resident Mary Nicholson Delaney posted about MacDonald on Facebook on July 25. “Rest easy, Tyler.”
“Growing up in a small town, everyone becomes part of your family. Tyler, you will be missed dearly,” posted Charlottetown resident Holly Chiasson on July 28.
In Alberta, employers are required to provide fall-protection gear for all workers who may fall at least three metres, or less if there is “an unusual possibility of injury,” according to Section 139(1) of the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Code.
