While in Olds on Thursday, Aug. 17, United Conservative Party leadership candidate Brian Jean expressed his sympathy with the family of an Olds man killed in a workplace accident.
The accident occurred Wednesday at a forage processor east of Cremona.
RCMP and emergency crews were called to the site at 8:07 a.m. Aug. 16.
A 63-year-old man was found deceased at the scene. Police did not release his name, saying only he was an Olds resident.
According to RCMP, preliminary investigation indicates the victim was fatally injured while operating a piece of equipment.
Police said the death is not believed to be "criminal in nature."
Occupational Health and Safety staff have taken over the followup investigation.
"My heart goes out to the family and the people who were affected by this tragedy. We understand obviously it was somehow related to equipment on the farm.
"We don't know the particulars yet. We're waiting to see exactly what took place," Jean said during a tour of the A & W restaurant in Olds Thursday.
During an interview with reporters, Jean was reminded that on Wednesday, the provincial government announced that it plans to undertake the first comprehensive review of Alberta's occupational health and safety act since it became law more than 40 years ago.
Labour Minister Christina Gray said that review will look at everything from compliance and enforcement to employee engagement and accident prevention. The goal is to ensure that rules and practices reflect today's workplaces.
"There's nothing more important than workplace safety to make sure that Albertans get home every night to see their family; make sure their family is secure and safe as well, and that's what our government needs to have, is the predominant consideration, especially in workplace safety," Jean said.
"But we need to do so in a common-sense, practical way that is not going to shut down our industries, that is going to make sure that we stay safe and we do it in a way that makes sure that the industry gets better as time goes."
"My heart goes out to the family and the people who were affected by this tragedy."BRIAN JEANLEADERSHIP CANDIDATE UNITED CONSERVATIVE PARTY
