July 22, 2010

Investigation launched into demolition mishap at Edmonton hotel

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

An investigation is underway after the demolition of a building sent construction debris falling into downtown Edmonton recently. “Workers were demolishing a section of the Mayfair hotel, when debris fell outside the retaining wall,” said Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) spokesperson Barrie Harrison.

“The sidewalk and the street were closed to traffic at the time and there were no injuries.”

The five-storey hotel swayed from side to side and collapsed onto Jasper Avenue at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 11. It crushed the hoarding and blocked the sidewalk and eastbound traffic.

The so-called controlled collapse marked the end of demolition work that began in May. Debris also fell onto the roof of a Corona Light Rapid Transit Station entrance, which was blocked off for the final stage of the demo.

“We ordered the prime contractor to undertake an investigation and we will go over the findings with them,” said Harrison.

“Our investigator still needs to talk to the demolition company, but this is in the works.”

The prime contractor on the project is Clark Builders.

McColman and Sons Demolition Ltd. was responsible for the demo.

The OH&S investigation is interested in the safety of workers on the site.

The City of Edmonton is also investigating what went wrong with the demolition to see if the general public was at risk.

“We are taking action in conjunction with the fire safety services,” said Scott Mackie, manager of current planning. “We are investigating the circumstances to see if there was any violation.”

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