The Ministry of Labour is currently investigating a workplace injury that occurred when a large barn that was under construction collapsed in Oro-Medonte on Tuesday morning.
Emergency services personnel were called to the scene at a property on Line 2 in Oro-Medonte near Sideroad 30 & 31 just before 11 a.m.
One worker was airlifted to a Toronto hospital. A second man was taken to Barrie's Royal Victoria Hospital, according to Oro-Medonte Fire Chief Hugh Murray. He declined to provide any further details.
A Ministry of Labour inspector visited the scene to investigate and issued two "requirements" to Dutch Masters Design & Construction Services, the company building the structure.
The ministry’s investigation is ongoing, according to an emailed statement from Ministry of Labour Spokesperson Kalem McSween.
McSween said he could not comment specifically on the Oro-Medonte incident but said, generally, "a requirement is a type of order issued when an inspector needs to gather information or determine or verify compliance." Examples include a requirement to provide documents, records or information or to keep employees away from the scene.
He expalined an order is a compliance tool used by health and safety inspectors and may be issued after identifying a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act or its Regulations. An order can be issued to various workplace parties including the employer, supervisor or to a worker.
Ministry of Labour officials were unable to provide an update on the condition of the workers who were injured.
Orillia OPP did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication of this article.
An official from Dutch Masters Design & Construction Services declined to comment both at the scene and on the phone, suggesting an OrilliaMatters reporter contact the Ministry of Labour for details.
