Tech killed on the job in New Brunswick

Workplace New Brunswick is investigating the workplace death of a heavy duty technician in Kedgwick River, N.B., on Jan. 14.

Jacques Arpin, 60, was killed when a transmission fell on him at DesRosiers & Fils, Inc. in Kedgwick River, a small community in Restigouche County, between Edmunston and Bathurst, N.B.

Cpl. Pierre St-Cyr, detachment commander at Saint-Quentin, N.B., said a chain was being used to hold the transmission of the heavy duty tractor in place as it was being worked on.

“There is no safety well in that facility. There is no hole in the bay where if a vehicle or component falls someone can get out of the way and not get crushed,” he said. “Mr. Arpin was underneath the equipment, so there was no way for him to slide out of there in time.”

The heavy duty tractor was used to haul lumber in the densely forested areas of New Brunswick.

Beverly Stears, a communications office for WorkSafe New Brunswick said the investigation into the incident will focus on how the accident could have been prevented and if there were any violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Areas under investigation will include safe working procedures, use of tools and worker training.

“A final report could take up to 12 months to complete,” she said. “Because it was a fatality, we have to interview witnesses and take their statements, and a thorough investigation must be done of the site, as well as an examination of all the machinery and equipment.”