Calgary examines construction safety

The City of Calgary and the Calgary Construction Association have formed a committee to look at safety in and around construction sites.

One idea being discussed is an early weather warning system for construction crews that could prevent debris from blowing off highrise building sites.

Members of the committee originally met last fall after the death of Michelle Krsek, 3, who was killed Aug. 1, 2009 when she was hit by a piece of corrugated metal that blew off an 18-storey building under construction at 112 Ninth Ave. S.W.

The committee, announced Tuesday, will widen its mandate to examine the enforcement of regulations and bylaws as well as communication and public awareness. A best practices construction safety guide with input from Alberta Occupational Health and Safety will also be developed, the city said Wednesday.

"Safety of both the public and workers is the primary concern of this joint City-industry construction site safety committee," Kevin Griffiths, Calgary's chief building official said in a news release. "Part of what we are doing is looking at the interface between the public and construction sites, and working to ensure that any interactions are considerate and safe."

"The construction community strives for every worker and every citizen of Calgary to be safe, whether they are working on a job site or walking by a job site," said CCA president Bob Robinson. "We are very concerned about construction in Calgary being seen in a positive manner, and this starts with putting safety first."

Calgary Ald. John Mar said the committee will be kept busy.

"They will be looking at different solutions, different best practices from other jurisdictions, how to make these construction sites safer," said Marr. "We can look at different technologies and different solutions from different jurisdictions from all around the world."

Work-related fatalities have risen 30 per cent in Alberta in the last two years.