A woman died on a site in Vancouver, Canada last month after a load fell from a high rise tower crane.
The incident occurred on February 21, at the massive Oakridge Park shopping centre/mall redevelopment, where several residential high rise buildings are going up. A large section of wood formwork dropped from the crane that was lifting it, falling well over 70 metres striking the building as it went down, causing it to break apart, a large piece of 'flying' formwork struck Yuridia Flores, 41, who was employed as a labourer on the project. She was declared dead at the scene. Her husband, who also works at the site, was not there when it happened.
The late Yuridia Flores
The video below has more information and pictures from the site:
WorkSafeBC immediately issued a stop work order on the site and is investigating the incident with assistance from Vancouver police and the B.C. Coroners Service. It has also said that this was the third crane incident in the city so far this year, and there was apparently another one on Monday of this week. The other three fortunately caused no serious injuries. WorkSafeBC is now investigating all four crane incidents.
A statement from WorkSafeBC said: “At this time investigators believe there are few, if any, similarities among the four incidents and the equipment involved in them. We are looking to bring crane employers, labour and the B.C. Association for Crane Safety together to talk about crane safety, possible legislation, requiring advance notice of any major operation involving cranes.”
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