Work site on ice bridge remains closed as CSST investigates worker's death

The ice bridge next to the Champlain Bridge reopened to foot and cyclist traffic Wednesday, a day after a 44-year-old construction worker plunged to his death. The work site remains closed.

Dany Cleroux was working to reinforce the decking of the ice bridge when the suspended platform he was working on collapsed sometime after noon.

His body was found in the St. Lawrence River Tuesday night, six hours after his fall.

“Our investigation is looking at the equipment and their function, also the method of work and the respect of procedure by the employee,” said CSST spokesperson Maxime Boucher.

Safety on job sites, said the union, is a constant struggle in this province, and it needs to change.

“I don’t think that any bungalow, condo, bridge or any infrastructure job site - you don't have to die to build that. You're not supposed to die to build that,” said FTQ-Construction union president Yves Ouellet. “When they come to work, they have to finish yesterday, it's always go go go go, they push, they push, they push.”

There are approximately 700 accidents on Quebec construction sites every year. In 2014, five of those were fatal.

A common culprit, the union said, is sometimes questionable security due to money-saving measures.

“How much it costs, that's the answer we get. ‘Yes, but how much does it cost?’ Who cares. We're talking about life,” said Ouellet.

The investigation into Cleroux's death, safety and proper procedure is beginning. It is still unclear whether or not he was harnessed at the time of the incident.

“We don't know if he was attached at the time of the accident, but we know earlier in the day he was wearing it,” said Bernier.

Work on the ice bridge will remain on hold until it can be sure the work site and the equipment is safe, the CSST said. It could take days or weeks.