(GODERICH, ON) On Tuesday August 19, 2014, shortly after 2 p.m. Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were dispatched to North Harbour Road, Goderich, in response to injuries sustained by a construction worker.
Investigation revealed that a construction company was using a barge as a worksite while doing repair work to the North Harbour break-wall, located approximately 1 km off-shore. The barge which housed a tracked excavator was held in place against the break-wall by a tug boat and cables. As a worker was securing the barge closer to the wall, the excavator reversed slightly on the deck. Simultaneously a large wave struck the barge causing the worker to lose his footing and step backwards into the excavator’s tracks. The worker’s legs became caught underneath the track for a short period of time.
The worker, a 71 year old male from London was immediately returned to shore by boat, from where he was transported to a local hospital by Huron County EMS with non-life threatening injuries.
Ontario Ministry of Labour inspectors attended the scene and are continuing their investigation into this incident.