Wrecking firm fined for slip-up that killed Allan Manchester

A Chicago-based wrecking company was fined $250,000 today for failing to stabilize a massive steel door that fell on a Sault Ste. Marie man during the demolition work of Algoma Steel's old Number 1 BOSP plant in October, 2003. Allan, a lead hand at Sault-based Howard Avery Construction and brother of Glen Manchester, Algoma's Steel's vice president of finance and chief financial officer, died of injuries sustained in the industrial accident.

A supervisor and one of Allan Manchester's coworkers was also fined.

The following is a news release issued tonight by the Ontario Ministry of Labour:

*********************** National Wrecking Company, supervisor and worker fined for health and safety violations

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, February 8 - National Wrecking Co., a demolition company based in Chicago, Illinois was fined $250,000, a supervisor was fined $15,000 and a worker was fined $10,000 today for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in the death of a worker.

On October 15, 2003, a worker was searching for a tool at a building under demolition when a 5.8-by-5.5-metre (19-by-18-foot) steel door weighing 1,134 kilograms (2,500 pounds) fell.

The worker was crushed and later died.

The incident occurred a short time after a second worker bumped up against the door with a bobcat while removing scrap steel piled in front of the door.

The second worker was unaware the door was not secure.

It had been cut down by a National Wrecking Company worker and left leaning against a wall with no hazard signs to warn others and without the area being marked off.

The incident occurred at a demolition site on West Street in Sault Ste. Marie. Following a trial, National Wrecking Company was found guilty, as an employer, of: 1. failing to ensure the steel door was adequately braced to prevent any movement that could affect its stability or cause its collapse. This was contrary to Section 25(1)(c) of the act 2. failing to ensure a sign containing the word "danger" was posted in prominent locations and in sufficient numbers to warn workers of the hazard of the steel door. This was contrary to Section 25(1)(c) of the act. In addition, a company supervisor was found guilty of failing to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring the steel door was secured against falling.

This was contrary to Section 27(2)(c) of the act. As well, the company worker who cut down the steel door was found guilty of: 1. failing to ensure the door was stored in a manner that did not endanger a worker. This was contrary to Section 28(1)(a) of the act 2. failing to notify the worker's employer or supervisor about the existence of a hazard from the steel door. This was contrary to Section 28(1)(d) of the act Justice John Keast, of the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie, fined the company $200,000 on the first count and $50,000 on the second count.

The justice fined the worker $7,500 on the first count and $2,500 on the second count.

In addition to the fines, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act.

The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime. *******************