Edmonton shuts down tunnelling operations after worker killed on job
by The Canadian Press
Man killed working underground on city sewer line; investigation underway
EDMONTON—The City of Edmonton has shut down all tunnelling operations after one of its employees was killed on the job Nov. 1.
Emergency crews were called to a sewer line site in a southwest neighbourhood of the Alberta city Tuesday afternoon.
The name of the 44-year-old man has not been released, but Alberta Occupational, Health and Safety is currently investigating the incident.
City manager Linda Cochrane says until they found out why the man was killed, all city tunneling operations have been suspended.
“We’re hoping they (the other workers) can inform us of specifically what happened, both in broad and more detailed sets,” Cochrane said Wednesday.
The project runs 20 metres deep and when complete will be 155 metres long and crews were about a quarter of the way through it.
Mayor Don Iveson offered condolences to the worker’s family, co-workers and friends on behalf of the city and council.
“It’s troubling that this happened at a city worksite but I know the city is co-operating fully with the province’s Occupational Health and Safety investigators,” Iveson said in a statement.
“Our council will ensure we receive updates on the results and outcomes of that investigation and act to implement any recommendations that will protect our workers.”
