22-year-old Verona resident killed in workplace incident
A 22-year-old forestry worker from Verona, Ontario was killed in a workplace incident in Oshawa, Ontario on the morning of Wednesday, Mar. 16, 2022. The man was an employee of Kingston, Ontario-based company Eco Tree Care. The company had been doing contract work removing trees for the City of Oshawa.
Emergency crews were called to Waverly Street North in Oshawa’s McLaughlin neighbourhood at around 8:45 a.m., responding to reports that a man had been partially pulled into a wood chipper.
In a statement made on behalf of the bereaved family, family friend Mimi Haws identified the deceased as Daniel Vanheyst. “My friend and Congolese compatriot Jeanine along with the Vanheyst Family in Verona, are saddened to announce the sudden death of their first son Daniel Vanheyst today,” Haws said. “Daniel was only 22, lived with his parents in Verona and until his death this morning he was healthy, alive and well.”
“I remember when Daniel was born at KGH. I held him as a baby,” Haws continued. “He grew up to become a godly young man and very hardworking. My heart aches for his family, Andrew Vanheyst and Jeanine. Please remember this family in your prayers. Trauma and shock to loose it grips over the family at this time of deep grieving.”
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has confirmed that it has assigned an investigator to review the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Such a terrible tragedy and like the majority, if not all workplace accidents, no doubt preventable. I shudder when I see chippers being used extensively by all types of contractors…and with all levels of training, safety precautions and experience. Chippers are a wonderful tool, but also a potentially dangerous one if not given the appropriate level of care, respect and safety protections. It is horrible to lose a young man in this way, and to honour his memory, I hope all forestry contractors will take a step back and re-evaluate how these machines are utilized. Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Andrew.