A contract worker was killed April 27 at a polyethylene construction site operated by Nova Chemicals Corp. in Joffre, Alberta.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. The worker was working on a stationary crane when he came in contact with equipment resulting in “severe trauma,” officials with Calgary, Alberta-based Nova said in an April 27 news release.
Nova emergency personnel responded, but the worker died at Red Deer Regional Hospital.
Work at the site has been suspended and an investigation has begun, officials said. No other injuries or operational impacts have been reported in relation to the incident, they added. Nova officials also said that they “are collaborating fully with the regulatory authorities as they carry out their investigation.”
“This is an extremely sad day at Nova Chemicals,” Senior Vice President Bill Greene said in the release. “Our belief is that every employee and contractor must go home safely — today that didn't happen.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of the worker,” he added. “Our first priority is always the safety of our employees, contractors and the community.”
In an April 28 news release, CEO Todd Karran said that, as a company, one of Nova's core values is the safety, and that the firm believes in a zero-injury workplace.
“We are committed to doing everything possible to keep our workers safe,” he added. “In the coming days and weeks, we will work with the authorities, our partners and our safety leaders to fully understand the cause of this tragedy and identify any changes we may need to make.”