Third Anniversary of Drill Rig Accident

Written by Local 793 Staff

It was mid-afternoon, Oct. 11, 2011. Kyle James Knox of Stouffville, a promising young apprentice with Local 793, was operating a loader at a subway construction site at York University in Toronto, next to the Schulich School of Business. Suddenly, a massive rotary drill rig collapsed and fell on the loader that Knox was driving, […]

It was mid-afternoon, Oct. 11, 2011.

Kyle James Knox of Stouffville, a promising young apprentice with Local 793, was operating a loader at a subway construction site at York University in Toronto, next to the Schulich School of Business.

Suddenly, a massive rotary drill rig collapsed and fell on the loader that Knox was driving, crushing the smaller machine and trapping him in the wreckage.

Another worker and Local 793 member, Dan DeLuca, who was operating an excavator at the site, was also trapped and injured after the liner and auger from the drill rig landed on his machine.

Emergency Medical Services and Toronto Police attended the site.

Three Local 793 members, Kirk Winter, Ryan Blyth and David Tustin, helped in the rescue of DeLuca.

They took the initiative and acted quickly to do the right thing.

Tustin was first at the accident scene. He was operating a rubber tire loader at the site. He used the loader to stabilize the liner and auger of the collapsed drill rig, allowing firefighters to place jacks under it.

Winter and Blyth were working on another site near the accident scene. Winter drove a mobile crane to the scene. The crane still had the counterweights on and two of the tires blew on route.

At the scene, Winter used the crane to lift the auger and liner, enabling firefighters to extricate DeLuca. Blyth used an excavator to hold down the rear of Winter’s crane so he could lift the auger.

After two hours, DeLuca was extricated from the excavator and taken to hospital with serious injuries. He still can not work.

Knox, a 24-year-old Anchor Shoring & Caissons Ltd. employee, was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the accident, Anchor Shoring president Dawn Demetrick-Tattle issued a press release.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our employee and above all else, our thoughts and condolences are with his family,” the press release stated. “Our focus also continues to be on supporting all of our employees and their families during this difficult time.”

The Ministry of Labour conducted an investigation into the accident. The operator of the drill rig was not licensed.

* * *

Although three years have passed since the day of the accident, Dan DeLuca remembers it like yesterday.

He was operating an excavator for Dibco Construction when the rotary drill rig collapsed.

“I got lucky,” says the father of two. “When it fell I got in between a space so the rig didn’t hit my head or body with force.

“I was knocked around like a pinball, though.”

The casing of the drill rig landed on his leg and hip, trapping him.

It took firefighters two hours to rescue him.

“Everybody was scrambling. Two operators came with mobile cranes and pulled the drill rig up so I could get out.”

During the rescue, DeLuca was in and out of consciousness, partly due to the pain medication that paramedics gave him. However, he still remembers most of what happened.

“The adrenalin was keeping me up.”

Firefighters eventually pulled DeLuca from the wreckage.

He suffered severe injuries. His foot was broken in five places. He also had a cracked shoulder and a broken femur and ribs.

DeLuca was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto and remained in the critical care unit for four months. After that, he went to rehab for three months.

Today, DeLuca still can’t work. Although he loved his job, he doubts he will ever return to construction because of his restrictions. He can’t sit, stand or walk for any length of time.

“I’ve thought about what to do but it’s a tough thing,” he says. “I’m sort of in a predicament.”

DeLuca says he’s astounded that operators of rotary drill rigs don’t need to be licensed crane operators.

“When I heard those drillers were not licensed I was in shock,” he says. “I can’t believe you can run a machine like that without a licence. They are big pieces of equipment that can destroy.

“You can’t get into a car without a licence but you can run a drill rig.”

* * *

After the accident, officials from the programs branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) decided that rotary drill rigs, like the RTG Rammtechnik RG 25 S drill rig that toppled and killed Kyle James Knox, did not meet the definition of a mobile crane and therefore did not require the operator to hold a 339A or 339C crane licence, or a mobile crane operator 0-8-ton construction certification, depending on the torque of the drill rig.

The MTCU made this interpretation without consulting Local 793 or other construction stakeholders.

As a result, Local 793 argued that the directive of the MTCU was wrong and it should be retracted immediately. The union has also been lobbying for changes to the rules, arguing that rotary drill rig operators should hold a valid Ontario Hoisting Engineer 339A or 339C licence.

On Oct. 20, 2012, then Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Glen Murray announced that mandatory training for rotary drill rig operators would be implemented by the government. He made the announcement to more than 200 delegates at a meeting of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario in Toronto.

Today, two years later, a committee of industry stakeholders has developed a training standard but training still has not been made mandatory.

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher says he was astonished that the MTCU took the position that operators of rotary drill rigs didn’t need to have a crane licence, as drill rigs are massive pieces of equipment with booms that operate the same as those on a mobile crane.

Not only that, he says, the drill rigs are capable of moving loads in both a vertical and horizontal plane, the same as mobile cranes.

“Clearly, these drill rigs must be operated by a licensed crane operator,” says Gallagher. “These drill rigs are obviously hoisting devices, as they also have load charts.”

Gallagher says Ministry of Labour inspectors should be going out to construction sites and checking to ensure that operators of rotary drill rigs are properly licensed.

Gallagher says he is disappointed the government has not yet taken action.

“It’s been three years since Kyle James Knox was killed and nothing has been done to prevent a future tragedy,” he says. “We’re calling on the government to do the right thing.”

* * *

Local 793 member Jeff Brett has been operating rotary drill rigs for the better part of 25 years. He says there is little doubt that operators need to be licensed, as the machines can be dangerous.

“It can be very dangerous to the public if you’re not trained to use this rig because, just like a mobile crane, if I don’t follow my load chart and my cable specs I could easily snap a cable and it could fly out into hydro wires or the public.”

At a minimum, says Brett, rotary drill rig operators should have a crane licence. Once an operator has a crane licence, he believes they should also receive more training specific to drill rigs.

“I believe mandatory training, especially with this machine, a 339A would be the minimum.”

Brett was interviewed recently at a construction site in Toronto. He has operated all sorts of drill rigs and cranes for Deep Foundations. He’s had his 339A hoisting ticket since 1990.

It’s imperative, he says, for operators to be properly trained.

“These drill rigs have very complicated load charts, and being an operating engineer with a 339A licence helps me greatly to understand and interpret the different kinds of load charts with different applications and apparatus that you put on the machines.

“You can lose over a third of your chart with a four-degree inclination change in ground and that can upset the drill rig very easily.”

Brett says rotary drill rigs are similar to mobile cranes in that the booms can move in both vertical and horizontal planes and lift loads.

“A drill rig is similar to a mobile crane by the fact that this drill rig is on tracks and can move and you can also boom up and boom down and change the inclination of your boom the same as a mobile crane. You’re also hoisting, you’re cabling loads up and you’re cabling loads down at different angles and in different situations. In a drill rig, you’re moving material in a horizontal as well as vertical plane.”

Brett says understanding the load charts is essential because drill rigs are often traveling over uneven ground on construction sites.

“Things can get very dangerous if you don’t understand the capacity. If you don’t follow your load charts it’s very easy to upset one of these machines.”

* * *

Mike Cianchetti, field operations manager at Deep Foundations Contractors Inc., says the company requires that operators have a hoisting licence before they’re allowed on a rotary drill rig.

“It’s important for all of our operators to be properly trained, specifically the drill rig operators, because it’s such a large piece of equipment. You’re working in and amongst all the other construction crews and always in very close quarters.

“At Deep Foundations we only use licensed operators on our drill rigs and we do that because we’re continuously hoisting with that piece of equipment. We feel that it qualifies as a crane and it meets the definition of a crane because we’re hoisting.”

Cianchetti was interviewed recently at a construction site in Toronto. He says drill rigs and mobile cranes are essentially the same.

“The main similarity between the drill rig and the crane is the fact that it has winches, very powerful winches, to raise and lower materials into the holes. It’s based on a crane body, and it’s got a mast that moves horizontally and vertically.”

Cianchetti says drill rig operators also have to be properly trained to read the load charts.

“Load charts with this type of equipment are critical because the stability of the machine is based on the centre of gravity and the tipping point. When you’re operating a crane your centre of gravity is lower. The centre of gravity with a drill rig is above the operator’s head. He has to refer to the load charts to calculate his lift.”

If an operator is untrained and reaches out too far with a drill rig, the machine can topple, he says.

“If you don’t have a trained operator he can not read the load charts, he doesn’t know how to calculate his load and he doesn’t understand the physics behind how the machine operates.”

As an employer, Cianchetti says, he has an obligation to ensure workers on a site are safe and properly trained.

“These drill rigs are more than a crane so what we do is take a licensed crane operator, we train them, we explain to them how to drill shafts, how to analyze and look at soil conditions, and how to look at ground conditions. We take their base knowledge as a crane operator and we expand on that and we make sure that they’re qualified to drill shafts.

“The basis of the training is a hoisting engineers certificate. We take that employee and we give them additional training, additional time on the jobsite, additional time as front-end men working around that piece of equipment, and we give them those experiences. You have to have that knowledge of how to operate the equipment and operate it safely.”

* * *

Local 793 business manager Gallagher says it’s time for the government to step up and do the right thing.

“Mandatory training of rotary drill rig operators will provide better protection for both the operators of the equipment and also for the workers on construction sites in Ontario.

“Rotary drill rigs are dangerous pieces of equipment and those who operate them must be properly trained.”

Gallagher says that, like most accidents, the one that killed Kyle James Knox could have been prevented.

“It was a preventable accident. We can not stand idly by and allow another drill rig accident to occur.”

Emblem Competition Deadline is March 15, 2015

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 has re-launched a competition to design an emblem for the union. This is being done because of the addition of the Territory of Nunavut to the union’s charter. The new deadline for the competition is Sunday, March 15, 2015. The competition is open to all Local 793 staff and members in good standing, […]

Local 793 has re-launched a competition to design an emblem for the union.

This is being done because of the addition of the Territory of Nunavut to the union’s charter.

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

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.

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.

Members are encouraged to submit their best designs in colour and perhaps incorporate the red and blue colours that are used in the union’s current logos into their designs.

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 when submitting a design.

Ron Jones Passes Away

Written by Local 793 Staff

Ronald G. Jones of Richmond Hill, an honourary lifetime member of Local 793, has passed away. Ron died Monday, Sept. 29 at his home. He was 83. Ron was a crane operator and longtime union member. He was initiated into the union on April 1, 1963 and was a 51-year member. He received his 50-year […]

Ronald G. Jones of Richmond Hill, an honourary lifetime member of Local 793, has passed away.

Ron died Monday, Sept. 29 at his home. He was 83.

Ron was a crane operator and longtime union member. He was initiated into the union on April 1, 1963 and was a 51-year member.

He received his 50-year award from Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher during a long-service awards ceremony in the union banquet hall Nov. 16, 2013.

Ron became an honourary member of the union in 2004.

Business manager Gallagher said members will miss Ron for his wisdom and sense of humour, something he was generous with over the years.

Ron was a well-known and respected member of Local 793. He helped organize with the International on the east coast and in his home province of New Brunswick.

He came to Toronto in 1963 and settled in the Richmond Hill area, raising two sons and two daughters.

He worked many years for Superior Crane Rental and was a strong union activist.

Ron’s presence on various jobsites is well remembered through his operating expertise on many types of cranes, including the conventional Lima mobile that was part of Superior’s fleet.

His patience helped many operators develop the extra skills necessary to excel at the trade.

Eventually, Ron’s position at Superior Crane Rentals changed to a managerial one. He retired in May 1991.

Ron was a regular at the Labour Day Parade in Toronto. He was known for the Indiana Jones style hats which he wore to most union events.

Marshall Funeral Home, 10366 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, is in charge of funeral arrangements. The funeral home is at the fourth traffic light north of Major Mackenzie.

Visitation is Friday, Oct. 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. A non-denominational service will be held at 6 p.m. and a reception will follow.

The family is asking that memorial donations be made to the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital.

Ron was predeceased by his wife Joan. He is survived by his children Ronalda, Errol, Alanna and Cleve.

Canada is Moving Backwards, Broadbent says

Written by Local 793 Staff

Canada has regressed in the past five decades and there is now a greater divide between the rich and poor, says former federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent. He told the 56th Canadian Conference of the International Union of Operating Engineers in Toronto that instead of people becoming more equal, precisely the opposite has happened. “Instead […]

Canada has regressed in the past five decades and there is now a greater divide between the rich and poor, says former federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent.

He told the 56th Canadian Conference of the International Union of Operating Engineers in Toronto that instead of people becoming more equal, precisely the opposite has happened.

“Instead of moving forwards we’re moving backwards.”

Broadbent was one of the speakers at the Aug. 25 session of the conference. He is chair of the Broadbent Institute, a non-partisan organization exploring social democratic policies and ideas.

In the late 1950s, he said, there were plenty of jobs and trade unions were flourishing, and in the 1970s laws were adopted that provided new freedoms to women, gays and ethnic minorities.

But today, he said, affordable housing is no longer available to thousands of families across the country, most workers have no private pensions, students graduate with an average debt of $25,000, and child poverty has become a serious issue.

Canada also used to be admired for its vigorous debate and civil liberties, he said, but the government of Stephen Harper has trampled on the rights of the country’s workers.

“Not in over 60 years has Canadian government worked so hard to undermine the rights of the trade union movement. It’s been right wing ideology of the most intolerant kind that has shattered Canada’s reputation.”

Broadbent said a “rich minority” has also emerged that pays a smaller portion of the tax burden than they did a decade ago.

He said the Liberal government slashed federal programs in the 1990s and Harper’s Conservatives later brought in tax cuts that favoured the rich.

“It was Robin Hood in reverse,” he said, noting that under Harper “rich Canadians have never had it so good.”

He said Canadians need to put an end to the fundamentalist way of thinking and create a more balanced approach.

With a federal election looming in 2015, he said, there is no better time.

“Canadians are now open to change and they want a federal government that leads.

“They want a fair share of income.”

Broadbent said there is no better way to address that inequality than strengthening trade unions.

“Trade unions in Canada are good for everyone and we must get that message out,” he said to resounding applause. “Workers’ rights are human rights.”

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher said Broadbent’s message might sound bleak but it’s one that unions should take to heart.

He noted that it’s nice to have a sane voice amidst all the other right-wing think tanks that are out there spewing their messages.

Operating Engineers Praised by Politicians

Written by Local 793 Staff

The work of Local 793 and the Operating Engineers was praised by Premier Kathleen Wynne and Labour Minister Kevin Flynn at the 56th Canadian Conference of the International Union of Operating Engineers held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Premier Wynne said the local was “very instrumental” in convincing Ontarians that the Liberals were […]

The work of Local 793 and the Operating Engineers was praised by Premier Kathleen Wynne and Labour Minister Kevin Flynn at the 56th Canadian Conference of the International Union of Operating Engineers held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Premier Wynne said the local was “very instrumental” in convincing Ontarians that the Liberals were the right party in the spring provincial election.

“You supported us in every area of the province,” she said.

Wynne also acknowledged the work that the Operating Engineers do in training apprentices and working with First Nations communities, something that’s top of mind as she deals with Ottawa over the problems faced by Aboriginal youth in northern Ontario.

Labour Minister Flynn, who is MPP for Oakville, said Local 793 has had a tremendous impact on the community – as well as on an orphanage in Kenya thousands of miles away.

He told the audience that a few years back he committed to getting a bulldozer to an orphanage in Kenya and spoke to Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher about the idea.

Just three minutes into a presentation, Gallagher and the union officers said they would do it, he recalled. The union then went about raising money to send the bulldozer to Kenya.

Meanwhile, Flynn noted, the Operating Engineers have given a lot back to the community.

“You continue to build on the generations of hard work that make the province what it is.”

The premier and labour minister both spoke about the importance of unions in building Ontario and the intention of the Liberals to invest in infrastructure.

Premier Wynne said the Conservatives were undermining organized labour in the last provincial election and unions had to band together to put a stop to it.

“I believe in organized labour and the gains they have made over the decades,” she noted.

Wynne said the province will be investing $130 billion into Ontario’s aging infrastructure over the next 10 years and she hopes the federal government will also step up to the plate.

“Since 2003 we have been catching up and our commitment is we will continue to make those investments.”

Labour Minister Flynn said while investing in infrastructure, the province is also committed to ensuring that workers go home from work safely every day.

He noted there’s a lot more work to be done to bring the construction fatality rate to zero and, in order to accomplish that, the province needs a mix of enforcement and prevention.

Flynn also told the audience that the province is still committed to making traning mandatory for operators of rotary drill rigs.

He said substantial progress has been made in developing a standard and the province is continuing to consult with Local 793 on the issue.

“It is my commitment to you that we will push this over the finish line in a way that you can be proud of.”

Challenges on the Horizon: Gallagher

Written by Local 793 Staff

The future looks bright for Operating Engineers across the country but there are challenges on the horizon. That was the message delivered by Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher on Aug. 25 at the 56th Canadian Conference of the International Union of Operating Engineers in Toronto. “Moving forward we have some significant challenges ahead of […]

The future looks bright for Operating Engineers across the country but there are challenges on the horizon.

That was the message delivered by Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher on Aug. 25 at the 56th Canadian Conference of the International Union of Operating Engineers in Toronto.

“Moving forward we have some significant challenges ahead of us,” he said in opening remarks at the event.

One of those challenges, he noted, is the right-wing agenda of the federal Conservative government.

Gallagher, who was president of the Conference, said the Operating Engineers should be concerned because the Tories are intent on destroying unions and passed 11 anti-union resolutions at their convention last year in Calgary.

One of those resolutions called for a law that would allow unionized workers to opt out of paying dues to support political activism while another stated that mandatory union membership – and mandatory dues – limit the economic freedom of Canadians.

With a federal election set for next year, Gallagher encouraged business managers across the country to step up the campaign against the Conservatives.

He noted that unions are dealing with a prime minister that’s established and it won’t be as easy as some people think to uproot Stephen Harper.

Gallagher said that some locals across the country – including Local 793 – have passed resolutions to contribute to a federal political action campaign and he urged others to follow suit.

“This is a very, very important initiative,” he said. “It’s going to be vitally important to our future in Canada.”

Gallagher told the audience that the Working Families Coalition was recently successful in ensuring Tim Hudak was not elected in Ontario.

He said that Hudak got some of his ideas from Conservative Grover Norquist in the U.S. and, had the election swung in favour of the Conservatives, it would have had a domino effect that would have continued across the country.

The province was facing a “bleak future” under then Conservative Party leader Tim Hudak because his vision was an Ontario without labour unions, Gallagher said.

During the campaign, Local 793 freed up business reps to knock on doors and put up signs – and it paid dividends, he said.

The outcome, he said, is that “we are going to be building and building union here in Ontario, incuding the Ring of Fire.”

As for other challenges, Gallagher said the Operating Engineers must continue to meet labour demands with work picking up in the pipeline and energy sectors.

“We have seen work in Ontario that we haven’t seen in quite some time.”

He noted that training centres across the country must continue to turn out new operators and locals have to keep recruiting youth.

“We have to really get at it in terms of training. We need to have the 28 to 35 year olds come on in and train for the future.”

Gallagher noted there is reason for optimism, as the Operating Engineers in Canada are growing and will continue to grow.

He also said the Canadian IUOE office is close to reaching a statement of partnership with Aboriginal communities in Canada.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) agreed in principle last November to enter into a statement of partnership with the IUOE but reached a hiccup when the AFN chief stepped down.

A new leader will be chosen in December and Gallagher said he is hoping the statement will be signed then, resulting in a partnership with the AFN.

“That will be a good thing because we’ll be respected and trusted a little bit more,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Gallagher said, a Remote Learning Centre which was opened recently in Neskantaga is an example of how the Operating Engineers can work with Aboriginal communities. Local 793 supported the centre and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario will be providing e-learning opportunities to Aboriginals via the centre.

“There’s no reason we can’t replicate that in every territory and every province if it works,” said Gallagher. “I was very proud we got to be pioneers and were able to do that.”

IUOE general president James T. Callahan and IUOE general secretary-treasurer Brian E. Hickey also spoke at the conference.

Callahan reported that the financial status of the International is in great shape both in the U.S. and Canada.

He also noted that the International is available to help Canadian locals, as the issues they face are often the same as those faced by locals south of the border.

“I don’t see a border when it comes to Operating Engineers. As far as I’m concerned it makes no difference.”

Fighting the right-to-work movement in Ontario is no different than in Ohio, he noted. “It’s a battle we will fight to the end.”

General secretary-treasurer Hickey said the fact that the IUOE is in great shape is “great news” that is worth repeating.

With membership on the uptake in Canada, the country is doing a large part to keep the International whole, he said.

OETIO to Offer E-learning at Training Facility

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 president Joe Redshaw spoke at an event in Mississauga on Aug. 19 to celebrate the grand opening of the Remote Training Centre (RTC) in the Neskantaga community in northern Ontario. He told the audience that Local 793 and the OETIO understand the importance of education and training and were pleased to be part […]

Local 793 president Joe Redshaw spoke at an event in Mississauga on Aug. 19 to celebrate the grand opening of the Remote Training Centre (RTC) in the Neskantaga community in northern Ontario.

He told the audience that Local 793 and the OETIO understand the importance of education and training and were pleased to be part of the celebration.

“Recognized training certification and education is the stepping stone to employment and, more importantly, a career,” he said in his remarks.

Redshaw said that Local 793 and the OETIO are working towards a made-in-Canada solution to meeting the skills gap for the heavy equipment and crane operator industry and the RTC will help further that goal.

“We see First Nations people as one of the made-in-Canada solutions, particularly in this region of Ontario.”

Redshaw’s comments were heard via satellite feed by Neskantaga Chief Peter Moonias and attendees at the RTC. Provincial Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer also joined the conference via a satellite feed from London, Ont.

Local 793 and the OETIO have supported the RTC, an innovative facility which enables training services to be delivered to the remote community. The union and training centre worked with Aecon and the Matawa First Nations Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Centre (KKETS).

The RTC is outfitted with two-way video communications technology which enables students at the facility to take safety training and courses via a satelitte uplink. The OETIO will be delivering e-learning courses to students at the centre.

In his remarks, Redshaw said the future looks bright for First Nations students, given the need for heavy equipment operators to build roads, airport strips and rail lines in support of projects in the Ring of Fire area in northern Ontario.

He thanked KKETS for its belief in the OETIO as the training delivery agent of choice for heavy equipment operating training.

Redshaw said Local 793’s office in Thunder Bay is doing what it can to place KKETS heavy equipment graduates from the OETIO in Morrisburg, and Aecon has clearly demonstrated its commitment to work with KKETS by recruiting OETIO graduates and providing them an opportunity to work on projects in Thunder Bay.

Redshaw said the opening of the RTC is a proud and exciting moment for Neskantaga.

“IUOE Local 793 and the OETIO believe in First Nations as a solution and plan to continue building and enhancing our partnership relationship for the future.”

Neskantaga Chief Moonias said the RTC will have a positive impact on the people of Neskantaga for many years to come.

“This is an integral step in the right direction – providing access to higher learning directly in our community so that our youth have the opportunity to succeed.”

Teri McKibbon, president and CEO at Aecon, said development of the RTC was made possible through the collaboration and contributions from many companies and organizations, including the OETIO.

“Training and education are keys to success and we are very proud to be a part of bringing such opportunities to Matawa First Nation communities.”

 

 

 

 

 

Construction Begins on Memorial to Honour Workers

Written by Local 793 Staff

Construction has begun on a memorial garden and pavilion at Local 793’s head office in Oakville. A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 9 to mark the beginning of construction. The structure is being built to honour members of the local who have died as a result of construction site accidents or due to an occupational […]

Construction has begun on a memorial garden and pavilion at Local 793’s head office in Oakville.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 9 to mark the beginning of construction.

The structure is being built to honour members of the local who have died as a result of construction site accidents or due to an occupational illness.

More than 150 dignitaries, union staff, business reps and officers, health and safety officials, building trades representatives and construction employers attended the morning event, along with family of four Local 793 operators who died under such circumstances.

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher gave opening remarks at the ceremony. He spoke about the significance of the garden and pavilion and also the importance of industry partners and government agencies working together to make construction sites safer.

He noted that in Ontario 225 workers were killed on construction sites between 2003 and 2013, and that in 2013 alone 17 construction workers were killed.

“I really think the time has come for the construction industry as a whole to come together and put some mettle behind the words,” he said. “Nobody should go to work and not come home.”

He said Local 793 hopes to work with health and safety agencies and its partners in government to re-double efforts to make sure such tragic accidents don’t ever happen again.

Gallagher told the audience that the groundbreaking was important because the garden and pavilion will be a fitting tribute to honour those who have died in construction accidents.

“We are proud to be one of the few trades that has constructed a memorial garden like this,” he said, noting that the goal of the local is to never add another name going forward.

Gallagher provided an overview of the garden and pavilion, noting it was designed by Hamilton-area artist Patrick Bermingham, who’s been showing his sculptures professionally since he was 14.

Bermingham’s design was chosen from among four finalists that were presented first to the union’s executive board and then to members at the general membership meeting in March.

“We are especially pleased to have Patrick design the monument and I know he is especially excited about the project,” Gallagher said.

The pavilion will consist of three outer arches and two inner arches, creating a quiet place for reflection for Local 793 members, and the families of those who have died. The two inner arches represent the union’s supporting role in the construction of infrastructure in Ontario and the three outer arches were inspired by the Burlington Skyway bridge.

Names of the deceased members will be engraved on the arches. The structure should be completed by September.

Gallagher noted that Dufferin Construction is contributing $40,000 to help with the costs of building the pavilion foundation, while Bermingham Construction is donating $25,000 and the Crane Rental Association of Ontario is giving $10,000 for construction costs.

A number of dignitaries spoke at the event.

Patrick Bermingham told the audience that he shares the union’s desire to have a perpetually safe workplace.

He thanked the members of Local 793 for commissioning him to design the pavilion, noting it’s a “great honour.”

Bermingham said he has always looked up to Operating Engineers, as “they are the men and women who build this country.”

Ontario Labour Minister Kevin Flynn, who is MPP for Oakville, said Local 793 is a quality organization that has had such a profound impact on the community of Oakville.

He said the union is always trying to get to the magic number of zero injuries but, sadly, the number of construction deaths has remained stubbornly high.

He noted that industry stakeholders must work together to ensure the fatalities are stopped.

“We owe it to the families who’ve come out here today to re-double our efforts,” he said, referring to family members of the deceased operators who attended the ceremony.

Elizabeth Witmer, chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), said stakeholders must focus their efforts on health and safety “every minute of every day” in an effort to get the number of injuries to zero.

She said the garden and pavilion will have an impact on elevating the importance of health and safety.

“It’s going to have a lasting impact on so many people,” she said.

Witmer congratulated the union on its commitment to making worksites safer and noted that business manager Gallagher, who is on the WSIB, has a passion for health and safety and she welcomes his input.

Patrick Dillon, business manager of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, congratulated the officers of Local 793 for their foresight in building the pavilion.

“This is really a step forward in prevention,” he said.

Dillon noted it is possible to achieve zero injuries because inquests into the deaths of construction workers have all concluded that the tragedies could have been prevented if better health and safety practices were in effect.

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said workers have a right to be safe and refuse work when they feel their lives are in danger.

He said Oakville is committed to safer workplaces, and 800,000 square feet of building space was erected last year in the town with no injuries.

“We can have a safe workplace,” he said.

Golf Tournament Raises $100,000 for Cancer Research

Written by Local 793 Staff

More than 230 golfers participated in the third annual Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament held at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton on June 16. The event, sponsored by Local 793, raised $100,000 for the esophageal cancer program at University Health Network. At a luncheon following the golf tournament, Local 793 president Joe Redshaw thanked […]

GolfMore than 230 golfers participated in the third annual Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament held at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton on June 16.

The event, sponsored by Local 793, raised $100,000 for the esophageal cancer program at University Health Network.

At a luncheon following the golf tournament, Local 793 president Joe Redshaw thanked the sponsors, contractors, officers, members, executive board and staff of the union for once again making the event a success.

“I would like to thank everybody for their contributions and helping us raise money for this great cause,” he said.

Dr. Tom Waddell, head of thoracic surgery at University Health Network (UHN), also spoke at the luncheon, telling golfers that the money from the tournament enables vital research to be done.

“We’re putting your money to good use in developing new programs for patients and scientific research to make the whole care of these patients much better.”

Dr. Waddell said the funds have helped the UHN make significant strides in research and clinical programs to detect and prevent esophageal cancer.

He said Dr. Gail Darling, director of thoracic surgery clinical research at Toronto General Hospital, is making excellent use of the money raised at the tournament.
Dr. Darling is evaluating a new screening test to help bolster early detection efforts, published a landmark study concerning esophageal tumors, and is working with Dr. Armand Keating to develop the world’s first clinical trial of immunotherapy for patients with esophageal cancer.

Dr. Waddell said early detection is key and with esophageal cancer that can be challenging because it’s hidden deep in a patient’s chest and is difficult to cure when the cancer reaches its later stages.

The doctor thanked golfers for participating in the event held annually in honour of O’Neill.
“He sounds like a remarkable man who is still, years after his passing, able to bring this many people together.”

O’Neill was president of Local 793 for 13 years until he passed away in 2011 due to cancer.

Competition Medals Awarded to Local 793 Apprentices

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 is successful in large part because of the investments made by the union in training and turning out skilled operators, business manager Mike Gallagher told a group of 40 tower and mobile crane apprentices May 21 in the union’s banquet hall in Oakville. “If we didn’t have the investment in training like we […]

Local 793 is successful in large part because of the investments made by the union in training and turning out skilled operators, business manager Mike Gallagher told a group of 40 tower and mobile crane apprentices May 21 in the union’s banquet hall in Oakville.

“If we didn’t have the investment in training like we do and we didn’t have the skilled operators that we have, young people like yourselves coming forward and building our bench, we wouldn’t be able to have that type of success,” he explained.

Gallagher, along with union president Joe Redshaw, vice-president Joe Dowdall, and treasurer Alex Law, spoke to the group and handed out medals to three mobile crane level 2 and 3 apprentices who placed in the top three in their category at the Ontario Skills Competition held May 5, 6 and 7 at RIM Park in Kitchener.

The top three students were:

  • First place – Nicholas Mireault
  • Second place – Devin Killoran
  • Third place – Scott MacEachern

The students were evaluated on pre-operational inspection, control operation and accuracy, post-operation, efficiency, a simulation exercise, and theory test.

Eight Local 793 apprentices participated in the competition.

Gallagher congratulated the apprentices and noted that the competition was a very important first step in having mobile cranes recognized in the Skills Canada National Competition.

He noted that the Canadian Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Council (COEJATC) recently decided to get involved in supporting Skills Canada and the first step in that initiative was to get involved in the Ontario program.

Now that the apprentices have been recognized at the Ontario level, he said, the next step is to be recognized at the national level with Skills Canada.

“So, consider yourselves in this group as pioneers,” Gallagher said.

The Skills Canada National Competition is important because it brings together young people from all regions of Canada to compete in more than 40 trade and technology areas.

The competition provides an opportunity for those studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested within exacting standards and against their peers from across the nation.

Gallagher told the apprentices that he’s proud of the training provided at the OETIO.

“Everywhere I go as a manager I feel very good about the qualifications of our apprentices.”

Gallagher said it makes his job easier when he goes out to meet with non-union contractors in an effort to promote Local 793.

For example, during a meeting with representatives from Surespan and DLB Cranes, which are erecting a lot of wind turbines in Ontario, he touted the reputation and skills of Local 793 operators. DLB Cranes ended up signing a voluntary recognition agreement.

“When I met with them one of the strongest cards that I held in my hand was our skills as Operating Engineers, as crane operators, our safety record and our reputation.”

Gallagher reminded the apprentices that they represent the union when they go into the field.

“Remember that you’re a 793 member and you’re carrying that badge,” he said.

“It helps us maintain one of the strongest reputations in North America, if not the world. So, take that very seriously please because we’ve got to protect that. All of us own that.”