Scaffold Safety Fatality File

Scaffolding Collapse Kills Worker in Alberta Pulp Mill

A 53‑year‑old worker died after falling from scaffolding at the Peace River Pulp Mill site in northwestern Alberta while dismantling a scaffold structure.

An investigation by provincial authorities found that essential pins securing the scaffold components were missing, compromising the stability of the structure. The employer was held responsible for failing to ensure safe scaffold conditions and pleaded guilty under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.

This fatality underscores the critical importance of rigorous inspection and secure assembly of scaffolding systems. A missing pin or failed connection can transform a routine task into a deadly hazard. Employers must enforce strict inspection protocols, verify component integrity, and halt operations when any structural doubt arises.

Source: thesafetymag.com