September 19, 2011

Two Alberta electricians die on the jobsite

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

Two electrical workers were killed in separate incidents last week in Alberta.

“A 34-year old worker employed by PTI Group was electrocuted while installing electrical cable at Beaver River Lodge,” said Alberta Occupation Health and Safety (OH&S) spokesperson Sorcha Thomas.

The incident occurred on the morning of Sept 11, while the man was working at the main electrical distribution area for a camp that serves oil and gas workers about 49 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.

“A stop work order for the electrical distributor is in effect, while our officers investigate the death,” said Thomas.

Beaver River Lodge is a 732-room facility with private management and executive suites, home-style cuisine, games room, licensed lounge, driving range and a fitness facility.

PTI Group provides accommodations and food services to workers in remote areas.

In the second incident, an employee of Empirica Energy was killed during the afternoon of Sept. 10.

“The crew was in the process of removing a temporary pole for a power line,” said Barrie Harrison, spokesperson for Alberta Occupational Health & Safety.

“As a worker climbed the pole to remove some guy wires, the pole fell over landing on the worker. The 25-year old worker was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead”

The incident, which occurred about one kilometre east of Blairmore in the Crowsnest Pass, is also under investigation by OH&S.

“My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of this young man,” said Scott Thon, AltaLink’s president and CEO.

“Safety is a cornerstone at AltaLink and we are heartbroken from this very sad news.”

The prime contractor on the electricity transmission project is AltaLink, who is conducting their own investigation into the fatality.

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