Ontario’s Chief Coroner outlines the First Construction Death Annual Review report with IHSA’s Labour-Management Network

Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario’s Chief Coroner, shared the recommendations put forward in the First Construction Death Annual Review report with members of IHSA’s Provincial Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee - Construction at a meeting on July 2.

The report covers the findings of the first review, which focused on the deaths of 26 workers who fell from a height between 2017 and 2023.

Dr. Huyer outlined the contents of the report: an overview of the review process and the existing health and safety environment; a statistical analysis of 131 deaths related to falls from heights between 2009 and 2024; a summary of the circumstances of death for the 26 workers who are the subject of the review; and an analysis of systemic issues through a review of the 26 deaths. The report also includes seven recommendations.

The Advisory Committee, which began the review process in January 2025, is made up of experts from the government and the construction industry:

• Sean McFarling, General Counsel, Labourers’ International Union of North America, Ontario Provincial District Council, and LiUNA’s Central and Eastern Canada Organizing Fund
• Brian Alexander, Financial Secretary, Local 793 IUOE; Executive Director, Operating Engineers Benefits Administration Corporation; International Union Operating Engineers, Local 793
• Carmine Tiano, Director, Occupational Services, Provincial Building & Construction Trades Council of Ontario
• Jennifer McKenzie, Director, Stakeholder & Client Engagement, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
• Darrin Husack, EH&S Manager, CONDRAIN Group and Ontario Sewer & Watermain Association
• John Serafini, Manager, Health and Safety, Dufferin Construction Company
• Jaimie Todd, Provincial Specialist, Skilled Trades, Fair, Safe & Healthy Workplaces, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
• Stephen Moore, Manager, Inquests, Office of the Chief Coroner
• Monica Bienefeld, Director, Strategy & Integration Branch, Prevention Division, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
• Michelle Mraz, Director, Operations, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Eugene Gutierrez, Executive Director of Threads of Life, is an Associate Member.

The Advisory Committee receives support from the Construction Death Review Secretariat. The Secretariat is a group chaired by coroners and supported by members of the Inquest Unit. Dr. Huyer was the Lead Coroner for the 2025 report.

The Provincial Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee - Construction is a provincial committee that directly advises the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development following Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. They meet monthly to discuss construction health and safety issues and advocate for improvements.

The report will be shared with the families of the workers whose deaths were reviewed in the report ahead of its release to the public on July 18, 2025. It will be available in English and French.