Whitehorse tire shop worker was crushed by truck

The Yukon Workers Compensation, Health and Safety Board says the death of a Whitehorse tire shop employee in November was preventable.

The board released its preliminary findings into the workplace fatality on Thursday.

The board's investigation revealed that tire shop employee, Denis Chabot, was lying underneath a triple axle transport truck doing a final check on some tire work when the truck driver arrived to pick it up.

"A worker from North 60 arrived, found the vehicle idling, climbed into the vehicle and drove it away," said Kurt Dieckmann, director of Occupational Health and Safety for the Yukon Workers Compensation, Health and Safety Board.

"Denis Chabot was partially under the vehicle and suffered fatal crush injuries when the vehicle moved."

Dieckmann said the Integra Tire shop has made a number of improvements to its safety policy following the accident.

Yukon law requires anyone putting machinery into motion to do an inspection, including a walk around inspection, on a vehicle.

Dieckmann also says those working on machinery must make sure it cannot be operated until the work is completed.

The board's investigation is ongoing and any decision on charges in connection with the incident could still be months away.