Three years after Liam Johnston's tragic death in a trench collapse while working on an excavation site in Calgary, the company that employed him, Mr. Mike's Plumbing, has pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its workers under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act. This incident highlights the devastating consequences of inadequate safety measures and the importance of holding companies accountable for their employees' well-being.
The case began on June 8, 2023, when Johnston, a 27-year-old apprentice plumber, was buried alive in a trench collapse. The site, located in the northwest community of Charleswood, was a challenging excavation project with a sloped site and deep lines. The team, including a supervisor, a hydrovac operator, a labourer, and Johnston, faced significant dangers due to the project's complexity and the strict instructions to avoid damaging the homeowner's retaining wall.
On the day of the tragedy, the crew supervisor unexpectedly left the site due to a personal matter, leaving Johnston as the senior worker. He contacted the company owner, Mike Brock, to inform him of the difficult excavation. The team had already dug to 19 feet, which was significantly deeper than the average 10-foot excavation depth in Calgary. Brock attended the site and instructed the crew not to enter the trench until it was properly shored.
However, the lack of proper supervision and safety measures became evident. A photo of a co-worker in a dangerous position was sent to the supervisor just minutes before the trench collapse, but it did not raise any concerns. Johnston, aware of the dangers, texted the supervisor that the dig was 'too deep' just before his tragic demise.
The aftermath of the incident revealed a series of failures. The medical examiner determined that Johnston died from traumatic asphyxiation. An expert report suggested that the excavation should have used vertical cuts with a shoring system or been widened with marginally sloped walls and a portable trench box, which was not the case. The company's lack of proper shoring and supervision was a critical factor in the tragedy.
The legal proceedings resulted in a guilty plea to one of the 11 charges under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act. Mr. Mike's Plumbing agreed to pay a total fine of $330,000, with $215,000 going to the University of Alberta's Injury Prevention Centre. The company's owner, Mike Brock, offered an apology and vowed to implement additional safety measures, including revised excavation hazard processes, increased supervisory oversight, and employee training.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing worker safety and the devastating consequences when safety measures are neglected. It is crucial for companies to ensure that their employees are protected and that proper safety protocols are in place to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring again.
