CN conductor killed during switching operation

A CN conductor was fatally injured June 15 while working outside a rail yard in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Teamsters Canada announced this week.

The man, whose identity was not released, was in his 30s and had been with CN since 2018, union officials said in a press release. The worker was a member of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC).

The employee's death was confirmed by a CN spokesman in an email. The incident occurred on company property in Port Edward, just south of Prince Rupert.

"We want to offer our sincere condolences to the employee's family and community in these tragic times," said CN spokesman Jonathan Abecassis.

Monday's incident was the second time a CN conductor died on the job this month in British Columbia, Teamsters Canada officials said. Another conductor died June 1 in Surrey. Both workers were performing switching operations at the time the fatal incidents occurred.

"This industry has suffered far too many preventable tragedies," said TCRC President Lyndon Isaak. "We need to find new ways to focus on safety. Our union continues to work with employers, the federal government and other stakeholders in hopes of preventing future accidents and ultimately saving lives."

Isaak also cautioned all TCRC members "to stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times while they work."

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is looking into both incidents, the Prince George Citizen reported.