A billet crane operator at Ivaco Rolling Mills in L’Orignal has died as a result of a workplace accident.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague following a workplace accident at Ivaco Rolling Mills on Sunday, July 7,” announced Ivaco President Stéphane Oehrli.
United Steelworkers (USW) union Hawkesbury Area Coordinator Richard Leblanc has confirmed that Chris Derouin fell from the cab of a crane at the steel mill on July 7 and was critically injured.
Derouin died on Saturday, July 13 in Ottawa Civic Hospital. He was 47 years old.
“Our thoughts are with the family during this unimaginable time. IRM (Ivaco Rolling Mills) is providing ongoing mental health support to its employees and collaborating with the authorities to investigate this tragedy,” Oehrli said.
Leblanc said the USW dispatched a member of its own Emergency Response Team to provide support to Derouin’s family and co-workers at Ivaco.
“I know they’ve listened to employees and if they need help, they’ll guide them,” he said.
Examples of what the USW team does includes offering to assist with various arrangements and household support.
“All the little things that made it easier for the family,” remarked Leblanc.
The USW represents about 475 employees in three bargaining units at Ivaco.
There are also numerous social media posts from Derouin’s family confirming his death.
A celebration of life for Chris Derouin has been scheduled for Saturday, July 27 at Wilson Funeral Home in Cornwall.
A fundraiser through Go Fund Me has been established for Derouin’s partner, France Ménard.
Jonathon Bates, who had worked with Derouin at Ivaco since 2012, established the fundraiser.
“Chris was a great guy. He was very social and kind. Chris loved snowboarding and his puppies very much. He was involved in our annual golf tournament (at Ivaco), and many hockey events,” Bates said of his friend.
Oehrli said Ivaco Rolling Mills will not be providing further comment on Derouin’s death because the investigation is ongoing and out of respect for Derouin’s family.
