$400,000 Fine in Accident is Not Enough: Gallagher

Local 793 has issued a press release in response to a company being fined $400,000 in connection with a drill rig accident that killed 24-year-old union apprentice Kyle James Knox at a construction site in Toronto three years ago. For Immediate Release November 28, 2014 $400,000 FINE IN DRILL RIG ACCIDENT IS NOT ENOUGH: LOCAL […]

Local 793 has issued a press release in response to a company being fined $400,000 in connection with a drill rig accident that killed 24-year-old union apprentice Kyle James Knox at a construction site in Toronto three years ago.

For Immediate Release
November 28, 2014

$400,000 FINE IN DRILL RIG ACCIDENT IS NOT ENOUGH: LOCAL 793 BUSINESS MANAGER

OAKVILLE — Mike Gallagher, business manager of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, says the $400,000 fine levied against a company involved in a fatal drill rig accident three years ago is not nearly enough to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in future.

“This disastrous accident was much more deserving of the maximum fine of $500,000 that can be imposed on a corporation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for such a fatality. In fact, the maximum fine should also be increased where gross negligence is involved so that it might act as a greater deterrent to companies that are intent on disregarding proper safety practices.”

Gallagher said authorities must not lose sight of the fact that 24-year-old Kyle James Knox, a promising young apprentice with Local 793, lost his life Oct. 11, 2011 when the drill rig collapsed and toppled onto the backhoe he was operating at a construction site at York University in Toronto. Dan DeLuca, another union member, was also seriously injured and is permanently disabled.

The company, OHL-FCC GP Canada Inc., pleaded guilty to a charge under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and was fined in court Nov. 28.

Gallagher said such a fine will not provide any comfort or solace to the family of the young operator who was killed. He called on the government to adopt training standards that have been developed by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and an industry committee of contractors, manufacturers and labour representatives, and also to make training mandatory for drill rig operators. Local 793 and the foundation and piling industry were instrumental in drawing attention to the issue and lobbying for the industry committee to be formed.

“We can prevent future disasters like this if we quickly legislate that only licensed, fully-trained operators be permitted to operate this equipment, changes which the industry committee of experts has proposed. We must move much more quickly when lives are endangered.”

During the sentencing hearing, the Crown prosecutor noted that the site preparations were a significant factor in causing the accident and that site preparations on the day of the accident were inadequate.

An investigation determined that major factors in the tipping of the drill rig were inadequate site preparation, a soil base unable to withstand the weight and pressure created by the drill rig combined with a procedure of digging dispersal holes filled with wet material, and the fact the drill rig was operating on a slope greater than allowed within safe parameters.

Gallagher said he is encouraging industry stakeholders and the public to participate in the Ministry of Labour consultation process and support new training requirements that would better protect drill rig operators.

“Imposing mandatory training for drill rig operators would help to make construction sites safer and ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.”

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers represents thousands of highly-skilled crane and heavy equipment operators across Ontario. The union has a head office, banquet hall and training campus in Oakville, and another training campus in Morrisburg.

For additional information contact:
Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher
905-469-9299, ext. 2202

NHL Star Brad May Joins Local 793 at Charity Tournament

Former National Hockey League star Brad May crosses the red line, looks up and makes a pass to a Local 793 Operating Engineer streaking across the blue line. Yes, you read that right — a Local 793 Operating Engineer. May, who played 18 seasons in the NHL, joined a team of Local 793 representatives in […]

Former National Hockey League star Brad May crosses the red line, looks up and makes a pass to a Local 793 Operating Engineer streaking across the blue line.

Yes, you read that right — a Local 793 Operating Engineer.

May, who played 18 seasons in the NHL, joined a team of Local 793 representatives in a tournament at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville on Nov. 21 to raise money for Easter Seals Ontario.

Twelve teams participated in the Celebrity Hockey Classic. Each team had an NHL star on the roster.

May was drafted to play for Local 793 at a VIP event held the night before the tournament.

The Local 793 team played three games in the tournament. The team consisted of business reps, members and staff, and was coached by Ron Hillis, the union’s director of organizing. The Local 793 team won all three of its games.

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher was in the stands, supporting the Local 793 team.

His daughter, Breeann, was one of the players on the union team.

“Our players looked pretty good out there on the ice,” said Gallagher. “More importantly, though, we supported a good cause and raised funds for Easter Seals Ontario.”

Lisa-Marie Smith, co-ordinator of the tournament and senior development officer with Easter Seals Ontario, said the money goes towards helping children with physical disabilities.

“We’ve had a great tournament,” she said. “It’s been amazing.”

The tournament raised a total of $120,000. Local 793 raised about $12,500 and was one of the top three fundraisers.

“That’s a great figure,” Smith said of the money raised by Local 793.

May, who won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, said he enjoyed playing with the Operating Engineers.

“It was fun,” he said, during a break between games. “They’re a solid, solid hockey team.”

May wasn’t a stranger in the Local 793 dressing room.

He recalls playing with Local 793 business rep Mike Schutte when the two were in training camp with the Phoenix Coyotes.

“He (Schutte) came to training camp in Phoenix and played a couple of games. That was in 2002, I think. He was a really good player. I haven’t seen him in 10 or 12 years so it was kind of nice to see him here today.”

May said he doesn’t get a lot of time for hockey these days, as he does a lot of broadcast work in the evenings now, so it was nice to lace up the skates for a good cause.

“I cover so many hockey games in the evenings and there’s a lot of late nights so I don’t get to play a lot of hockey anymore.”

It didn’t take May long to get back into the swing of things, though.

“I feel pretty good,” he said. “I love hockey. Every time I get on the ice I think, ‘Why don’t I do this all the time?’ I enjoy it.”

He admitted, however, that the muscles were a bit sore.

“I think the body is starting to seize up,” he said.

The most important thing, said May, is that funds raised at the tournament go to a good cause.

“At the end of the day, it’s about raising money for a good cause and that’s Easter Seals,” he said. “It’s just great.”

Deadline Nears for Student Bursary Program

The deadline is nearing for students to apply for the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC) bursary program. The deadline is Nov. 24, 2014. The program provides financial assistance to sons or daughters of parents who derive their principal income from pipeline construction. To qualify, the parent or guardian of the applicant must be […]

The deadline is nearing for students to apply for the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC) bursary program.

The deadline is Nov. 24, 2014.

The program provides financial assistance to sons or daughters of parents who derive their principal income from pipeline construction.

To qualify, the parent or guardian of the applicant must be employed by or have a history of employment with a company that is a member of the PLCAC.

The applicant must be enrolled full-time in a program leading to a diploma or degree in any field at a recognized Canadian college or university. Applications received from students enrolled in post-graduate programs may also be considered.

Applicants must provide:

  • A completed application form
  • Official school transcript and proof of enrolment

Application forms can be accessed through the PLCAC website at www.pipeline.ca.

If you have any questions, contact the PLCAC at plcac@pipeline.ca.

Emblem Competition Deadline is March 15, 2015

Local 793 members are being reminded that there is a competition under way to design an emblem for the union. The deadline for the competition is Sunday, March 15, 2015. The deadline for the competition was extended because of the addition of the Territory of Nunavut to the local’s charter. The competition is open to […]

Local 793 members are being reminded that there is a competition under way to design an emblem for the union.

The deadline for the competition is Sunday, March 15, 2015.

The deadline for the competition was extended because of the addition of the Territory of Nunavut to the local’s charter.

The competition is open to all Local 793 staff and members in good standing, along with their children and grandchildren.

Those who have already submitted an emblem can re-submit their entry.

First prize is $1,000. Second and third prizes will also be awarded. Movie tickets will be awarded to all those who submit entries.

The winner will be announced at the union’s general membership meeting March 22, 2015.

The winning emblem design will be used on future promotional items that are distributed by Local 793.

Business manager Mike Gallagher is encouraging union members to try incorporating the union’s current dial logo, along with the red and blue colours that are used in the logo, into their emblem designs.

The dial logo is below.

He is also recommending that members include a symbol representative of Nunavut into their designs. For more information about Nunavut, go to www.assembly.nu.ca.

Emblems can be emailed to executive@iuoelocal793.org. Please send the emblems as high resolution PDF, EPS or JPG files at 300 dots per inch. Emblems can also be mailed to:

Union Emblem Competition
IUOE Local 793
2245 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON
L6L 6X8

Please include your name, phone number and union registration number.

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