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Worker crushed to death by concrete slab

Jun 24, 2009 | Journal Staff | Edmonton Journal

A 23-year-old worker has died after being crushed by a concrete slab on Edmonton's south side.

Workplace safety officials are investigating the accident, which happened at 10:15 a. m. Monday while workers from Derrick Concrete were cutting a door through a 15-centimetre thick concrete wall at 8825 51st Ave.

"A slab fell on one of the workers," said Chris Chodan, spokesman for Alberta Occupational Health and Safety.

The Red Deer man died in hospital several hours later.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with the family," said company owner Don Moroz, who declined to comment further on what happened until the investigation is concluded.

A website for Derrick Concrete describes a hydraulically powered unit that can be used to saw through concrete walls up to 53-centimetres thick. The prime contractor at the site is Willow Spring Construction.

"He was not working alone," said Moroz.

Meanwhile, investigators are also looking into a near electrocution in Edmonton on Tuesday morning.

A 25-year-old man was working on a ladder when it came in contact with a set of wires. He was taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.