Judge fines company $100K, foreman $14K after worker's death

The brother of a man who died seven years ago after a fall at work spoke poignantly of what the death has meant, as he addressed the sentencing of those who have admitted responsibility.

Brandon Alcorn, 22, died when he fell off the roof of a Kent Building Supplies store in Dartmouth, N.S., that was under construction in March of 2018.

Steven Alcorn spoke last week in Dartmouth provincial court at the sentencing of an Ontario-based contractor, Insulated Panel Structures, and project foreman Jeff Gooch, who were both convicted under Nova Scotia's Occupational Health and Safety Act.

"In seven years, I have started to forget what his voice sounded like, the sound of his laugh," he said in his victim impact statement.

"I can tell you what I haven't forgotten, and what I never will forget. Watching the video of Brandon take his last step off the roof of the Kent building and falling to his death. I see that every time I close my eyes, and I always will."

Steven Alcorn said their father died last summer, never knowing whether anyone would be held accountable for Brandon's death.

Fines, safety presentations, community service

Insulated Panel Structures pleaded guilty to not ensuring fall protection gear was used on four days, including March 13, 2018 — the day Brandon Alcorn fell. 

Gooch pleaded guilty to failing to ensure fall protection gear was used on two days, including on March 13, and also to providing false information to the OHS officers who investigated what happened. 

Crown prosecutor Alex Keaveny said that if the officers hadn't noticed there were security cameras at a business across the street, they may never have known what happened.

Gooch was earlier acquitted of criminal negligence in the case, in part because the judge found Brandon Alcorn was impaired by drugs at the time of his death.

At the sentencing, the Crown and defence submitted a joint recommendation. Judge Jamie Van Wart fined the company $100,000, plus victim fine surcharges of $15,000.

The judge fined Gooch a total of $14,000. He will also have to give eight safety presentations and complete 100 hours of community service.