The Alberta government has announced a major safety crackdown on high rise construction sites.
The announcement was made in Calgary Friday by Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk, near a site where a hammer fell off a high rise earlier this year, shattering glass in the nearby police station.
In recent years there have been numerous close calls and even the death of a child caused by falling debris and construction material from high rises under construction.
Ramped up inspections have already started and will continue until at least the end of the month.
"In addition to our ongoing inspections of all work sites in the province of Alberta, we will have dedicated health and occupational safety officers who will be focusing on targeted areas," says Lukaszuk.
The minister dedicated the program in memory of a little girl who died as a result of being struck by falling debris from downtown construction site.
Michelle Krsek was walking along 9th Avenue S.W. on August 1, 2009 with her family when a piece of metal fell off a high rise, striking and killing her.
Her father, Miro doesn't think the additional inspections will help at all.
He was also injured in the same incident.
As for the province's plan, the focus of their crackdown will be on sites five storeys or higher in major urban centres.
