Infill safety woes: Digging, asbestos and fall protection top issues at Edmonton residential sites

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-24 22:26:44.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Labour, PublicSafety]

A Postmedia report analyzing residential infill construction in Edmonton highlights ongoing non-compliance with the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) code regarding excavation safety, fall protection, and hazardous materials such as asbestos. Over a two-year period, Alberta Occupational Health and Safety conducted 433 proactive inspections at residential sites in Edmonton, revealing persistent violations near deep excavations lacking required back-cutting, shoring, or professional engineering controls under provincial regulations. The report references a historical fatal trench collapse involving Brian Frederick Tomyn, which resulted in a $100,000 corporate fine and a $425,000 fine with a four-month jail sentence for a subcontractor, underscoring the ongoing risks and regulatory enforcement challenges in the accelerated residential infill sector.