Safety regulations followed when summer students injured, city says
Ministry of Labour investigating
The three city workers who were hit by an SUV Thursday were following safety regulations, the city says, but the Ministry of Labour is still investigating what happened.
"To the best of our knowledge, all of our safety practices were followed," Burlington City Manager James Ridge said in an email.
"However, we value the fact that the Ministry of Labour is going to conduct and independent investigation and share their findings with us."
Three city workers — two of whom were summer students — were rushed to hospital Thursday morning after being hit by an SUV on the job. Police say the vehicle mounted a median where they were doing landscaping work.
A 19-year-old man and a 22-year-old man were transported to Hamilton General Hospital with critical injuries. Halton police said Friday that they remain in critical but stable condition. Their supervisor was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Halton police say the injured men's families have asked them not to release their identities. The City of Burlington echoed that statement.
"The families prefer their privacy," spokesperson Donna Kell said.
The city says the summer students were following the policies and procedures for road work.
According to those procedures, warning signs, barriers, flashing lights, a flagman and lane control devices will be provided "where appropriate."
"A flagman or any employee entering the roadway must wear fluorescent orange or chartreuse safety clothing consisting of a vest and hat," the policy reads.
It also states that if any vehicles or equipment are in the roadway, they have to be equipped with flashing warning lights.
Representatives from the Ministry of Labour could not immediately be reached for comment.