A Cambridge man killed at a construction site in Guelph may have been trying to signal for help at the time, an inquest into his death was told.

Tuesday was the first of three days of testimony at the inquest into the death of Andrew Jajko.

Jajko died in July 2014, while working for Oskam Welding and Machine – a construction company doing work on the Polycon Industries property on Independence Place.

The inquest heard Tuesday from John Howe, a Ministry of Labour inspector assigned to the case.

Howe told jurors that Jajko was working on a mezzanine when he was hit by a steel bar weighing at least 300 pounds.

He also said that there were signs suggesting Jajko may have been trying to signal for a crane to stop and for the operator to help him at the time, only for his message to be missed.

After hearing all the testimony, jurors can issue recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.

Jajko’s father, who was in attendance Tuesday, says he hopes the inquest results in action.

“(Deaths are) going to continue to happen unless people continue to take a stand, and take health and safety seriously,” Richard Jajko said in an interview.

Richard Jajko said he hoped the inquest would determine whether his son was provided the proper tools and training for the job he was doing.

With reporting by Leena Latafat