Ontario Construction News staff writer
A crane operator and a steel company face charges in connection with the death of a construction worker at a Barrie job site in June 2021.
The incident happened at a Dunlop St. E. worksite where a crane tipped over, pinning 52-year-old construction worker Corey Phillips under several steel beams, police report.
Phillips was pronounced dead on scene.
Barrie Police Service say an investigation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, led to charges against the crane operator and the company that employed him.
As a result, a 60-year-old Orillia man has been charged Nov. 28 with criminal negligence causing death, after police say it was discovered the crane operator wasn’t licensed to operate the machinery. He was released from custody with a future court date.
The investigation allegedly determined that the crane had been “mechanically altered to allow it to operate beyond its capabilities.”
Barrie Police have also charged North Steel with criminal negligence causing death.
