NL

Trepassey roofer wasn't wearing safety harness at time of fall

Police on Newfoundland's Southern Shore say a man who fell roughly 20 feet while doing roof repairs Tuesday was not tethered at the time of the workplace accident.

Community saddened by accident, says former mayor

Police on Newfoundland's Southern Shore say a man who fell roughly 20 feet while doing roof repairs Tuesday was not tethered at the time of the workplace accident.

The 20-year-old stepped backward on a plastic, transparent tile and fell to the concrete floor below, RCMP said.

The man, from Trepassey, was working on the old Glamox Lighting Building when the accident happened, according to Rita Pennell of the Trepassey Management Corporation.

Pennell told CBC News the group had hired local company Southern Construction, which employed the young man, to work on the building.

She said the community is saddened by news of the accident.

As of Tuesday, the 20-year-old was in hospital in critical condition with serious injuries.

RCMP has determined there was no criminal wrongdoing.

Occupational Health and Safety officials are investigating the incident.