Judge fines company $100K, foreman $14K after worker’s death
The tragic death of Brandon Alcorn, who fell off the roof of a Kent Building Supplies store in Dartmouth, N.S., while it was under construction in March 2018, has left a lasting impact on his family. His brother, Steven Alcorn, recently spoke at the sentencing of Insulated Panel Structures and project foreman Jeff Gooch, who were found responsible under Nova Scotia’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Steven Alcorn expressed the pain of losing his brother, saying that in the seven years since Brandon’s passing, he has started to forget the sound of his voice and his laughter. However, the image of Brandon falling to his death off the roof is etched in his memory, haunting him every time he closes his eyes.
The sentencing of Insulated Panel Structures and Jeff Gooch involved fines, safety presentations, and community service. The company pleaded guilty to not ensuring fall protection gear was used on the day of Brandon’s fall, among others. Gooch admitted to failing to ensure fall protection gear was used and providing false information to OHS officers. Despite being acquitted of criminal negligence, Gooch was still held accountable for his actions.
The judge imposed a fine of $100,000 plus victim fine surcharges on Insulated Panel Structures, while Gooch was fined $14,000. Additionally, Gooch will have to give eight safety presentations and complete 100 hours of community service as part of the sentencing.
The Alcorn family has been grappling with the loss of Brandon for years, and the sentencing of those responsible brings some closure to their grief. While nothing can bring Brandon back, holding accountable those who failed to ensure his safety at work serves as a reminder of the importance of workplace safety and the devastating consequences of negligence.
