Latest accident at CHUM site raises safety concerns
CBC News
Posted: Jan 25, 2012 7:31 PM ET
Last Updated: Jan 26, 2012 7:40 AM ET
Related
Related Links
Quebec union leaders are raising questions about the safety of workers at the CHUM superhospital construction sites.
FTQ-Construction, a wing of one of Quebec's largest union federations, said a worker at the research centre site was struck in the head by a piece of falling ice on Jan. 12.
He remains in hospital and is reportedly in critical condition.
The incident is the latest in a string of accidents at the French-language superhospital construction sites in recent months. There have been at least three incidents at the research centre site south of Viger Street, and one at the hospital site north of Viger.
Last August, a large metal construction beam struck a taxi with two passengers inside which was passing the research centre. The impact smashed the cab's rear window. Earlier that month, a crane operating in the hospital site fell over, blocking part of Saint-Denis Street.
In November, pieces of concrete and other debris fell from an upper floor of the research site on to Viger, damaging several cars.
There were no injuries caused by any of those incidents.
Quebec's workplace health and safety board is now conducting regular inspections at the research site. Entrances to the site have been covered to protect workers from falling ice since the latest accident.
The FTQ said it can no longer tolerate its workers being put in danger on work sites and is calling on the province to revise worker safety legislation.
Share Tools
Latest Montreal News Headlines
- Missing men found dead in Oka lake
- Two young men were found dead in the Lake of Two Mountains Sunday morning, nearly 18 hours after they disappeared into the water in Oka provincial park. more »
- Shawinigan takes Memorial Cup in OT win over London
- Anton Zlobin scored his second goal of the game 17:51 into overtime to lift the Shawinigan Cataractes to their first MasterCard Memorial Cup title with a 2-1 victory over the London Knights on Sunday night. more »
- Quebec tornadoes cause millions in damage
- Environment Canada confirms that two tornadoes — one of which was classed as a moderate F-1 packing winds of up to 150 km/h — touched down near Montreal Friday night, causing millions of dollars in damage. more »
- Woman hit by stray bullet on the Plateau
- A 25-year-old woman is recovering from a gunshot wound after she was hit by a stray bullet fired into a crowd on the Plateau early Sunday morning. more »
Top News Headlines
- Lisa Raitt closer to ending CP Rail strike
- Labour Minister Lisa Raitt is prepared to end the Canadian Pacific Rail strike if necessary, after both CP Rail and the union rejected a proposal for voluntary arbitration by the government-appointed negotiator on Sunday. Raitt tells CBC News she is "extremely disappointed." more »
- Syrian regime denies role in Houla massacre
- The UN Security Council condemned the Syrian regime at an emergency meeting Sunday, holding president Bashar al-Assad's military responsible for the massacre of more than 100 people, dozens of whom were children younger than 10 years old. more »
- Ryder Hesjedal wins prestigious Giro d'Italia
- Victoria, B.C., native Ryder Hesjedal has become the first Canadian to win one of the cycling world's three Grand Tour events, wrapping up the 2012 Giro d'Italia with an excellent performance in the final stage in Milan. more »
- Neighbour may have helped find missing kids in Mexico
- Two Winnipeg children who had been missing for nearly four years were found in Mexico after a man raised concerns about his neighbour, according to a private investigator. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Quebec tornadoes cause millions in damage
- Montreal protesters march in peaceful defiance
- Quebec students, government to resume talks
- Missing men found dead in Oka lake
- Woman hit by stray bullet on the Plateau
- Quebec students ready for tuition hike, says one leader
- Son testifies on behalf of father accused of killing wife
- Mysterious photos may shed light on 2004 Quebec homicide
- Quebec actress captures Cannes prize
