VANCOUVER — A Fraser Surrey Docks mechanic died on the job Saturday, according to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 502.
The mechanic, a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115, has not been identified out of respect for his family, nor has a second worker that was reportedly injured in the fatal workplace accident.
In a statement, ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton offered his condolences for the mechanic’s loved ones.
“On behalf of the rank and file of the ILWU Canada, I would like express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of our comrade,” he said.
Few details regarding the incident were provided, but an audibly shaken Ashton told Postmedia News the mechanic was working on a piece of equipment, a lift truck, and was crushed by a part of the machine.
Ashton said an investigation into what led to the accident was underway by the work site committee.
“This is a very sad day — a worker went to his job this morning and didn’t go home to his family,” he said in a news release. “We can and we must do more to protect all workers from deaths and injuries due to workplace accidents.”
Postmedia has contacted WorkSafeBC, the B.C. Coroners Service and RCMP for more information.
