Ontario's Second Construction Death Review Highlights Risks and Recommendations for Worker Safety

📅 2 weeks ago

The second Construction Death Review Committee report has been released, analyzing 43 construction-related fatalities in Ontario from 2015 to 2023, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures and worker training.

The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario has published the second report from the Construction Death Review Committee (CDR), focusing on a comprehensive analysis of 43 construction-related fatalities that occurred in the province between 2015 and 2023, alongside one death dating back to 1994. This report serves as a continuation of the first report that examined 26 worker deaths, predominantly from falls from heights, while this latest review broadens the focus to encompass deaths attributed to various other circumstances.
Dr. Roger Skinner, the lead coroner, articulated the purpose of the CDR, stating, "The Construction Death Review was instituted to provide a timely review of construction-related deaths and to develop recommendations for the prevention of further deaths." He expressed optimism that the analysis of individual cases, as well as the identification of common themes, would enhance their ability to prevent future fatalities.
The report identified that 42 out of the total deaths were linked to five primary hazards: heavy materials or equipment, crushing incidents, collapses of walls, ceilings or trenches, electrical exposure, and elemental exposure. Additionally, two fatalities were noted to have occurred years after the initial incident due to complications from injuries sustained.
The analysis encompassed 70 fatalities across five distinct subsectors of the construction industry: residential, commercial/institutional, industrial, civil/infrastructure, and a combination of residential and commercial properties. Notably, the residential sector, which includes both single-family homes and multi-family/apartment buildings, accounted for a higher number of fatalities than any other sector, with falls being the leading cause of death.
The report also highlighted temporal trends, revealing that incidents were particularly prevalent on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, together accounting for nearly 60% of the reviewed fatalities, with almost 44% occurring specifically on Mondays and Fridays. Furthermore, many incidents were reported to take place at the beginning or end of the workday, as well as around lunchtime.
Seven recurring themes were identified in the report, with two emerging as particularly concerning: the level of worker experience and the application of manufacturer’s instructions and operating manuals. The report indicated that worker experience manifested in various ways, such as complacency among seasoned workers and risks faced by those new to a worksite or engaging in unfamiliar tasks. The likelihood of serious incidents escalated when work conditions changed unexpectedly or when tasks were introduced without sufficient planning.
The review also linked eleven of the fatalities to the underutilization, misuse, or alteration of manufacturer’s guidelines. In response, the CDR has proposed fourteen recommendations aimed at various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD), the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA), and several unions.
Among the recommendations is a call for a review of the compatibility of commonly used formwork systems in Ontario, with a deadline for completion set at 12 months. The results of this review should be made publicly available. Additional suggestions include the MLITSD and IHSA engaging with industry representatives to enhance health and safety regulations, publishing advisories on hazards associated with working near water, and improving supervisor training to better address worker complacency and safety culture.
The report also emphasizes the need to investigate workers' exercise of their right to refuse unsafe work over the past five years, and to engage focus groups from both unionized and non-unionized sectors. The CDR has proposed to track five specific areas in future reports: vulnerable workers, emergency preparedness plans, safety gaps within broader safety frameworks, remote issues, and job hazard assessments.

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