A construction worker who was undergoing practical training died after falling from a ladder in August 2025 in Montreal, according to the CNESST. In its recently published report, the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) notes that the worker had been employed by Toitures trois étoiles. She was set to take part in the roof renovation of the Notre-Dame-des-Anges school in Montreal on Aug. 5 2025. The worker first prepared equipment and materials on the ground, under the supervision of another. She then had to climb a nine-metre ladder to reach the roof. The ladder was securely fixed to the roof, in accordance with regulations, as highlighted by the CNESST in its report. However, when she reached halfway up, at a height of approximately four metres, the worker suffered a panic attack, felt unwell and told the employer’s representative who was with her. The employer’s representative only had time to approach the foot of the ladder and place his hands on the rungs to offer assistance. He saw the worker lose her footing and fall to the ground. The emergency services were contacted immediately. The worker was pronounced dead at the hospital. The CNESST states that the worker had indeed completed the general health and safety training for construction sites. Upon being hired, she had read the documentation provided by the roofing company, in particular the summary of the prevention programme, covering amongst other things, the safe use of ladders. She had also been issued with the personal protective equipment required by her employer and had signed the relevant documents. The CNESST notes that a portable ladder is a means of access permitted by the Construction Work Safety Code, provided it meets the requirements. “However, compared to other means of access, such as a staircase, safety when using a ladder depends on the user maintaining a firm grip at all times.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 13, 2026.
