Construction firm, director hit with six-figure fine over worker’s fatal fall

A Delhi construction company and its director have been fined a combined $117,500 by the province after a worker was killed on the job two years ago.

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According to the Ministry of Labor, on March 4, 2022, four workers were installing wooden roof trusses on a site at 51235 Chalet Line in Aylmer. None of the four was wearing protective headwear or fall protection equipment, ministry officials said, adding there was also no guardrail present.

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One worker was standing on a two-by-four wood strapping while nailing wood with a cordless framing nailer, akin to a nail gun, ministry officials said. The strapping broke and the worker fell more than five meters (more than 16 feet) from the roof and was struck by the nailer, which caused a fatal injury.

Company director Kyle VanHeugten, and his company VanHeugten Contractors Inc., pleaded guilty and were fined $32,500 and $85,000 respectively, Ministry of Labor officials say.

According to its website, the company is based in the town of Delhi and has been in business since 2011. “From the early projects of decks and repair work, the company has grown to designing, constructing and managing various types and sizes of building structures ,” its website states.

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