Saint John, NB Work Accident Victim Remembered as a ‘Brother’ – New Brunswick | Globalnews.ca

Charismatic, caring and humble are just a few words that Darrell Richards’ now former bandmates would use to describe him.

“He had friends from all walks of life, and he touched everyone he met, and there are a lot of people in Saint John who know him and love him and feel like he’s their brother,” said band member Wendy Hanson. Ryan Drive.

Saint John police confirmed Friday that a worker has died following an industrial accident at the AIM Recycling Atlantic facility. The man, they said, was identified as Darrell Richards.

Richards’ death has sparked an outpouring of support on social media, mostly fond memories and videos of the bassist playing.

Dan Gallant, another Ryan Drive member, said it’s hard to remember a time when Richards had more than a smile on his face.

“We know what Darrell would say. Darrell would say, ‘You’re a mess, put it back together,’ that’s what he would say, and he would want us to move on,” Gallant commented.

Reflecting on their time playing in a band with Richards, both Gallant and Hanson said they became a family through music.

Gallant said they are planning a celebration of Richards’ life, but are still in the midst of ironing out the details.

ask for responsibility

Following Thursday’s incident, there have been two fatal accidents at AIM facilities in less than a year.

WorkSafeNB launched an investigation in November 2021, after a worker was injured during an industrial accident and later died in hospital.

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Former Saint John Mayor Don Darling once spearheaded a motion to ensure proper enforcement at facilities located along the harbor. At the time, concerns about the AIM installation arose from recurring blast events and excessive noise levels.

“When there’s been two loss of life since November and a long history, this facility, from incidents, explosions and all kinds of other issues, you know, I think it’s a wake up call here,” Darling told Global News. in an interview on Monday.

Plant explosions typically occur when propane tanks or other compressed containers are left in recycled vehicles before being placed in a shredder.

Located on federal land in Port Saint John, the AIM facility is regulated by the provincial government.

“What the city was asking for was not only for the company to act responsibly, but for the Port of Saint John and the provincial government to also play their roles to ensure that the environment is protected, that worker safety is protected, and that the company was fulfilling its obligations under its approval to operate,” Darling said.

“From my perspective as a former mayor, that was not the case, and here we are again talking about AIM and another tragic incident this week.”

In a statement to Global News last week, a WorkSafe NB spokesperson said that while deaths at AIM facilities are under investigation, more complex matters, such as fatalities, may take 12 months or more to conclude.

Shawn Gorman Wetmore is the president of the Saint John District Labor Council.

“I think twelve months is a long time for me, and to stay open while it’s being investigated,” Gorman Wetmore said.

“They should know something before that and what are they going to do about it.”

In response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labor said WorkSafeNB is responsible for the administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

That gives the Crown Corporation sole authority to issue a stop-work order, they said.