03.03.2010

Ontario charges crane operator and owner

Ontario’s minister of Labour has laid charges against Millennium Crane Rentals, crane operator Anthony Vanderloo, 56, and Millenium’s owner, David Selvers, 51,
Accusing them of criminal negligence for a fatal accident in 2009.

The accident, on April 16th, 2009, occurred as an 80 tonne Krupp GMK All Terrain crane belonging to local crane company Millenium, was being re-positioned during a lift involving the placing of a precast concrete manhole section into a new water main in Sault Ste Marie.
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The crane slipped into the excavation

The crane rolled into the sewer excavation landing on James Vecchio, 34, who died after being pinned beneath the crane.

Joe Fratesi, Sault Ste Marie's chief administrative officer is quoted as saying: "As it turns out, the brakes were very bad on this piece of equipment. It took several hours to get Mr Vecchio out and he probably succumbed to his injuries before they even got him out of the excavation after the crane was taken off him.”

The charges relate to the failure to ensure:
1.That the crane was maintained so as not to hurt a worker.
2.That it was not used while in defective condition.
3.That the maintenance schedule set out in the manufacturer's operating manual was followed prior to using the crane (2 counts),
4. The operator of the crane was properly licensed to operate it.


Vanerloo has been charged for using a machine and/or working in a manner that may endanger another worker.

Millenium, which is not commenting prior to the court hearing, claims that Vanderloo was certified to operate the crane

The hearing is scheduled for March 22nd