Workplace safety and training discussed at Ottawa trial in man’s hedge-trimming death

A criminal negligence trial in the death of a young worker continued Wednesday, with Nick Chenier’s co-worker taking the stand. CTV’s Katie Griffin reports.

The trial of a man accused of criminal negligence in the hedge-trimming death of a young worker in Manotick more than two years ago heard evidence about training and safety culture at the company on Wednesday.

Marc-André Gosselin worked as a helper with Best Green Hedges.

Nick Chenier, a foreman, at a property on Jean Park Road in May 2023 when Chenier was electrocuted after the hedge trimmer he was using came into contact with a 16,000-volt power line. Chenier, 20, died about an hour later.

Steven Deans, Chenier’s supervisor, is charged with criminal negligence causing death. He pleaded not guilty at the start of the trial on Monday. His lawyers said in a statement they, “would urge everyone watching this tragic case unfold to keep an open mind until all the evidence is heard.”

The Crown alleged Deans failed to identify or warn Chenier about the danger of the hydro wires and directed him to work without proper training and equipment.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

Under cross-examination Wednesday by defence lawyer Mark Ertel, Gosselin said through a French interpreter that he had “verbal and formal training” about the hazard of powerlines and the distance to stay away from it.

“It seems very unlikely Mr. Chenier wouldn’t have seen it in the hours he was working there?” Ertel asked Gosselin about the power line.

“Yes,” Gosselin replied.

“Did he mention that wire to you at all?”

“No.”

Ertel showed court a photo of the hedge and a ladder near it, suggesting most of the job had been completed before Chenier’s hedge trimmer touched the energized power line.

Gosselin said it’s the foreman’s responsibility to assess danger at a site.

He said Chenier believed the job was underpriced and too much work for what he was going to get paid and raised that with Deans in a phone call using “colourful language.”

“Mr. Chenier was not afraid to call Mr. Deans and complain if something was wrong?” Ertel asked.

“Yes,” Gosselin replied.

Under re-examination by the Crown, Gosselin said he didn’t recall whether the boom lift training he received included information about using power tools and ladders around high-voltage power lines. He believed Chenier would have received similar training.

Gosselin said some of the safety training included the positioning of ladders and how to use the tools and equipment.

“Was there anything additional to positioning ladders and using the tools?” Crown attorney Anne Fitzpatrick asked Gosselin.

“Not that I can recall,” he said.

Gosselin said he once refused to do work that was unsafe because it was dealing with bees.

The trial continued Wednesday with testimony from the homeowner who hired Best Green Hedges to perform the work on her property.