January 16, 2013

Worker dies in forklift incident

WorkSafeBC and the BC Coroners Service are investigating the death of a worker last week at a construction site near Osoyoos, B.C.

Megan Johnston, WorkSafeBC spokesperson, said a construction worker was struck and killed on Jan. 10 by a load of oriented-strand board sheets that slid from a forklift.

The incident happened at the worksite of Osoyoos Cottages, which is a recreational property development on Osoyoos Lake.

The worker was employed by Stelkia Construction.

Johnston said WorkSafeBC was notified in the early afternoon of Jan. 10 and their officers attended the worksite.

The ongoing investigation will be looking at all of the workplace factors that may have contributed to this incident, such as: worker training and supervision; condition and maintenance of equipment; training for use of equipment and for working in the area of mobile equipment.

The B.C. Coroners Service reported on Jan. 11 that the name of the man who died in the incident is Sheldon Skolos, 27, from Oliver.

They confirmed that Skolos was assisting a forklift operator in transporting construction materials when the incident occurred.

JOC NEWS SERVICE

Print | Comment