Construction worker dies changing tire near Fort McMurray, Alberta

A man was killed at a Suncor oilsands project near Fort McMurray, but different versions about the circumstances leading up to his death have emerged.

Health and safety

A man was killed at a Suncor oilsands project near Fort McMurray, Alta., but different versions about the circumstances leading up to his death have emerged.

“The fatality took place at about 1 p.m. on August 28,” said spokesperson for Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Chris Chodan.

“There are no witnesses to the incident, but it looks like the worker was changing a tire on a heavy hauler and the tire blew.”

The man, identified as Michael Shannahan, 45, was an employee of Cow Harbour Construction Ltd.

He was working near a Cow Harbour work area at the Millennium mine at Suncor’s Oil Sands site.

In a press release dated Aug 31, Cow Harbour provides a different version of the events.

“During the re-assembly steps associated with routine maintenance of a tire and wheel assembly on a Cat 777, the tire and wheel assembly experienced a rapid deflation event,” said Jack Bonville, the company’s general manager of administration in the press release.

“It is our understanding that the 2700R49 tire involved in this incident remains intact. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the tire failed.”

Chodan said there is a stop work order on the part of the site where Shannahan was working.

Occupational Health and Safety investigators are working with Suncor and Cow Harbour Construction to determine the cause of the incident.

“This is a tragic incident and I know that both Cow Harbour and Suncor employees and contractors join me in extending our deepest sympathies to the worker’s family,” said Kirk Bailey, Suncor’s executive vice president in a press release.

“They are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

This is the second fatality at the Suncor Millennium oilsands site in a little more than a year.

On July 8, 2008, Kevin Grocutt, a 40 year-old Finning Canada employee, was fatally injured while attempting to move a disabled hauling truck to the shop for repairs.

Two other workers were also injured.