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Sean Bradley – Profile #2

Casket Campaign Profile #2: Sean Bradley 

“I miss Sean’s laugh. I miss his smile. Some days I find myself staring at his picture on the wall and remembering all the happy times together. Those days also bring intense waves of grief thinking about the moments he has missed since then.”

– Cheryl Shock, Sean’s widow

Sean Bradley was a truck driver.

That was the job he was hired to do. But that’s NOT the job he was doing when he died. 

“Sean was a truck driver; it was his passion. If there was a vehicle with a motor,” explains Sean’s widow, Cheryl, “he would want to drive it.” 

“Sean and I met in November 2009. Instantly, we were inseparable. I know it sounds cliché, but we were soulmates. Sean was my best friend; we spent all of our time together. If we weren’t talking on the phone or texting, we were working on our motorbikes, sleds, camping, or going for drives.”

– Cheryl Shock

Sean & Cheryl

“Friday June 6, 2014 was one month before our wedding,” says Cheryl. “The day started like any other. Sean had found a local quarry job only two months earlier and was off to work.”Sean never came home again. Instead, it was two police officers who showed up at Cheryl’s door to deliver the worst news of her life.CLICK TO TWEET

“There had been no rock to haul that day,” Cheryl explains, “but instead of sending Sean home, the company he worked for had him helping a mechanic do repairs on the small bus that hauled workers up to the mine site.” 

It was while doing those repairs that Sean had died. He had been working underneath an unsecured vehicle when it rolled and crushed him. He was killed instantly.

Sean was born with cerebral palsy. It left him with a limp and very little use of his right hand. He could hold things but had very little feeling in that hand.

“Sean couldn’t “mechanic”; he wasn’t trained as a mechanic,” explains Cheryl. “Sean was a truck driver, and he had been hired to haul rock down from the quarry to be used for flood mitigation after the floods the summer before. He should not have been working on that bus.”And so…instead of finishing wedding plans, Cheryl found herself planning Sean’s funeral.CLICK TO TWEET

In Canada, workers have three basic rights related to safety:

#1. The right to know what hazards are present in the workplace. 

#2. The right to participate in keeping your workplace healthy and safe. 

#3. The right to refuse work that you believe to be dangerous to yourself or your co-workers.

Since many jobs do have dangerous work, this means that training, controlling hazards and wearing PPE are imperative, so as to ensure that dangerous work can still be done…safely. 

Sean was not trained to do the work he was doing – repairing the bus – when he died, nor were the controls in place to prevent the bus from rolling. 

We cannot bring Sean back but we CAN learn from his tragic death.

As a worker, you can speak up if you are asked to do work you are not trained to do. And you can ask that proper controls are in place to make doing a job as safe as possible. As an employer, you do have a significant role to play – and a responsibility to do so – to ensure your workers get home safely at the end of every shift.CLICK TO TWEET

“The plan is to make a beautiful community out there, where we take care of each other.”

– Steve Jacobs

About Sean Bradley…

Sean was raised in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. He loved the mountains. He was an avid snowmobiler, ATV and motorcycle rider and camper. Sean was born with cerebral palsy, but he never let it slow him down. He was 47 when he passed away.

You can read a poignant article by Cheryl entitled, “A Funeral Instead of a Wedding,” on the Threads of Life website. 

Thank you for reading & stay safe. 

About the JPMF’s Casket Campaign

Since Const. John Petropoulos died on the job in 2000, more than 20,000 Canadians have died as the result of their work, either due to an injury or occupational illness. 

You can view the first 30-second “Casket” PSA here

About the JPMF

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.

John was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.

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It Takes a Village to Keep Young Workers Safe

“What if we let ourselves feel it all? What if we decided that it is strength – not weakness – to let other people’s pain pierce us? What if we stopped our lives and the world for things that are worth stopping for?”

– Glennon Doyle, “Untamed”

Tim Hamilton died while working at his summer job. He was only 19.

As part of the JPMF’s “Casket” workplace safety public awareness campaign, we are producing a series of blogs & short videos that profile some of the workers who have passed away, and whose families have kindly submitted to us photos for the campaign.

Since Const. John Petropoulos died on the job in 2000, more than 20,000 Canadians have died as the result of an injury at work or due to an occupational illness. Behind this stat are 20,000 real people whose lives were cut short – and the thousands and thousands of loved ones left behind to pick up the pieces.

One such worker was Tim Hamilton.Tim was 19 when he died in 1999, as the result of electrocution. His death could have easily been prevented.CLICK TO TWEET

The JPMF worked closely with Tim’s mom, Julie, to create a powerful video with a specific call to action to viewers.

Tim and his mom, Julie

The target audience for this video is parents of young workers. But it doesn’t matter who you are or whether you have kids or not…Tim’s story is a potent reminder that when we see something that could potentially be unsafe – for ourselves or others – we must speak up.

Please take a moment and view the video (1 min 30 sec) on the JPMF You Tube channel.

And then, if you are able, please share the video with anyone you think needs to see it – as well as on your social media platforms. We will never know the difference we make when sharing important safety messages such as this.

But we do know this: by allowing ourselves to feel just a fraction of the pain of another person’s loss – such as Julie Hamilton’s – then the action we may feel compelled to take, such as sharing a video, could save someone’s life.

Also, there is an excellent downloadable resource guide called, “Your Kids & Job Safety,” on the Missing Tim website.

You can also view (and share) the first 30-second “Casket” PSA on the JPMF You Tube channel.

Thank you, take care, stay well & stay safe.

About the JPMF

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.

John was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca

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Slow Down & Move Over

JPMF takes part in roadside public education event

Calgary, AB – Thursday March 11th, 2021: A contingent of vehicles, made up of members of Calgary’s emergency services, was parked at the side of Stoney Trail Thursday evening to raise awareness about road safety.

Tow truck drivers, first responders and road maintenance crews were set up at the side of Calgary’s ring road in both directions near 114 Avenue S.E. to remind drivers about what they need to do when passing emergency crews.

The consequences for not doing so are deadly, officials say.

Approximately four years ago, tow truck driver Courtney Schafer died while on the job. He was assisting a driver on March 7, 2017, when he was struck by a vehicle near Esterhazy, Sask.

Calgary tow companies say their roadside work is the “most dangerous aspect” of their job…

Read the rest of the CTV article here.

And here is the Global story.

Here are 4 short videos the JPMF created for sharing on social media – to help remind motorists about the importance of slowing down when passing first responders on the road and giving them room to work…so that everyone gets home safely (you’ll notice our “Slow Down; It’s No Picnic” 30 sec PSA is the base for all 4 videos):

#1. Please Slow Down & Change this Ending (55 sec)

#2. Please Slow Down Because it’s No Picnic (2 min 17 sec)

#3. Why We Care About Traffic Safety for First Responders (2 min 16 sec)

#4. Please Slow Down & Give Them Room to Work (1 min 55 sec)

Please consider sharing one or more of these videos on your social media. You just never know when the message hits home with a motorist. I don’t think we can ever hear this “slow down” reminder too often.

Thank you!

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Photo Project – Workplace Fatalities in Canada

Has Your Family Been Impacted by a Workplace Fatality in Canada?

If so, the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund would like to hear from you. 

If you have lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada – as the result of injury or occupational illness – you may be interested in our current workplace safety campaign.

We are raising awareness about the fact that since Const. John Petropoulos died on the job in 2000 (as the result of a preventable fall at unsafe workplace), more than 20,000 Canadians have died as a result of their work – either from an injury or occupational illness.

The first phase of the “Casket” campaign was launched in the fall of 2020. 

You can watch the first 30-second “Casket” PSA here.

For the second part of the campaign, we are collecting photos from family members who have lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada. 

These photos will be used in a second PSA and/or short video/s, as well as in profile blogs. Behind every statistic is a real person…and their loved ones left behind.

Kali Grainger and Ellis Reid holding photo of Chris Reid

If you would like to participate in the photo project, please e-mail us.

Thank you & take care.

About the JPMF

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.

John was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.  

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Casket Campaign Profile #1: Tim Hamilton

 “I’ve been thinking of Tim a lot lately. Maybe because Christmas is coming and that’s always hard…when memories come so strongly. I remember holding him as a little guy. Sometimes that’s a tough feeling. Memories are strange. You never know when or where they are going to come from – and boom. You’re flat on the floor.”

– Julie Hamilton, Tim’s mom

A summer job shouldn’t be your last job.

On July 9th, 1999, Tim Hamilton’s life came to an abrupt end, as the result of an easily preventable workplace fatality. He was 19.

Tim was working a summer job to make money for college. His job was unskilled labour with a rental company. He was told to erect a large party tent under a hydro line. The engineer on site told them the power line wouldn’t be a problem. The power arced. Tim was electrocuted.

At only 19, Tim’s life had hardly begun. He had a tight group of friends and plans for his future. Already accepted at Red Deer College, he planned to finish that program and continue on to a business degree. He loved sports, being outside and, according to his mom, Julie, was always hungry.

Julie Hamilton holding photo of her son, Tim Hamilton

We can do better for Canadians like Tim and Julie.

We have to.

Since 2000, more than 20,000 Canadians have died as a result of their job – either as the result of injury or occupational illness.

Please watch this 30-second “Casket” video:Casket Public Service Announcement (30-seconds)

Is this the legacy we want to building for workers – and their loved ones – in Canada?

For safety tips & to view our workplace safety videos, please visit jpmf.ca.

To learn more about the “Casket” Workplace Safety Public Awareness Campaign, please visit jpmf.ca.

If you have lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada and would like to be participate in the photo project, please contact Rebecca@jpmf.ca

About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.

John was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.  

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20th Anniversary Video

John Petropoulos Memorial Fund 20th Anniversary Video – Ready to View!

“If you change nothing, nothing will change.”

– Tony Robbins

In honour of the 20th anniversary of John’s death on Sept 29th, 2020, the JPMF is releasing a special 20th anniversary video. A huge heartfelt thank you to the Calgary Police Service Video Unit for producing this beautiful video!

It is a wonderful tribute to John and highlights the achievements of the JPMF over the past two decades. 

You can view the anniversary video (7 min) on the JPMF You Tube Channel

Enjoy! 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead

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Fallen Officer Memorial Coverage

Media Coverage of 22nd Annual Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial in Calgary

Maryanne Pope & Const. Ian Vernon of the Calgary Police Service, Sept 27th 2020, photo by Darren Makowichuk, DMakowichuk@postmedia.com

Const. John Petropoulos’ widow, Maryanne Pope, lays wreath on behalf of families

On Sunday Sept 27th, 2020, JPMF Director Maryanne Pope attended the 22nd Annual Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial in Calgary, Alberta. In honour of the 20th anniversary of John’s death on Sept 29th, Maryanne was the family representative this year and laid a wreath on behalf of families who have lost a police or peace officer in the line of duty.

One of the JPMF co-founders, recruit classmate & close friend of John’s, Inspector Joel Matthews, was also in attendance at the service. Due to COVID19, there were significantly less officers in attendance and it was not a public event this year.  

Here is the media coverage of the ceremony:

Global News

CTV News

A sincere thank you to Global & CTV for the beautiful coverage of this important service. Thank you also for mentioning the JPMF’s new “Casket” workplace safety public service announcement. We greatly appreciate the support of the media over the years and simply could not do the public awareness work we do without you. Thank you. 

Maryanne laying wreath on behalf of families, photo courtesy of CTV Calgary

About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.

John was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.  

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Watch the “Casket” PSA

Since 2000, there have been 20,000 Workplace Fatalities in Canada – Watch the “Casket” PSA

jpmf casket graphic since john petropoulos

One workplace fatality is one too many…20,000 deaths since 2000 is unacceptable

In honour of the 20th anniversary of Const. John Petropoulos’ death on Sept 29th, 2020, the JPMF is launching our latest public service announcement (our 9th) entitled “Casket.” This powerful PSA was produced by Mathieu Martel of Moving Mountains.

Since John fell to his death at an unsafe workplace in 2000, more than 20,000 Canadians have died as a result of their work – either due to injury or occupational illness.

To raise awareness about this staggering statistic, the 30-second “Casket” PSA (animated) visually shows just how high a tower of 20,000 caskets would be, if stacked on top of one another: 40,000 feet. Each casket represents a human life lost – a real person, not just a number.

Is this the legacy we want to be building for workers – and their loved ones – in Canada?

Please click here to view the new “Casket” PSA.

To learn more about how to make your workplace & the roads safer for all workers, please view our safety videos and check out our safety tips

Thank you & stay safe.

JPMF web logo square

About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.

John was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.  

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Casket Project Full Steam Ahead

Short update on the “Casket” Video Project…

If you are not yet familiar with the new JPMF project in the works, this is it in a nutshell:

Since Const. John Petropoulos’ death (as the result of a preventable fall at unsafe workplace) in 2000, more than 20,000 Canadians have died as the result of their work – either due to injury or occupational disease. As far as we’re concerned, this number is both staggering & unacceptable.

The “Casket” project is a multi-phase public awareness campaign comprised of PSAs, short videos, a documentary and other educational messaging that raises awareness about the issue of worker & workplace safety in Canada. 

For more information, please visit the JPMF newsroom

First Casket PSA – Tower of Caskets

The first Public Service Announcement (PSA) is an animated spot that visually demonstrates what 20,000 fatalities looks like. This powerful PSA is nearly finished & will be launched on Sept 29th, 2020 – the 20th anniversary of John’s death.

Second PSA – Some Faces Behind the Stats

A second PSA and/or short video is also in the works. This video will show some of the faces behind the statistics. A heartfelt thank you to all the family members who have contributed photos of your loved one to the project so far. We sincerely appreciate you participating in this important project and hope that by working together, we can help bring these numbers down. 

Because one death is one too many.

For further details on the photo project, here is the link

We Are Still Accepting Photos From Family Members 

If you have a lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada, we are still accepting photographs for the project. If you would like to participate, please contact our Family Liaison Coordinator, Rebecca Orr, at: Rebecca@jpmf.ca.

Here Are a Few More Photos We Have Received So Far…

Virginia Campeau holding photo of Paul Campeau

Cheryl Shock with photo of Sean Bradley

Ashling Boyd holding photo of Cathal Boyd

Jack & Katie Dexter holding photo of Bryan Benay

Michelle Fitch holding photo of Tim DesGrosseilliers

Robbie & Renee Vinnicombe with photo of David Vinnicombe

“When like-minded people come together, they make a huge difference.”

– Madhuri Jagtap

About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and succumbed to brain injuries. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger. He was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces are safe for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.  

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Photo deadline extended to Sept 15th

Call for Photos From Family Members Impacted by Workplace Fatality Extended to Sept 15th, 2020

Julie Hamilton holding photo of her son, Tim, who died at work

Have You Been Impacted by a Workplace Fatality in Canada?

If so, we would like to hear from you.

The John Petropoulos Memorial Fund is reaching out to family members who have lost a loved one due to a workplace fatality in Canada, either through injury or occupational illness.

We are in the early phases of creating a new public awareness campaign and are looking for people who would like to submit photographs of their loved ones.

Shirley & Bob Hickman holding photo of their son, Tim, who died at work

Here are the details:

Casket” Video Project – Public Awareness Campaign

Snapshot: Calgary police officer Const John Petropoulos died in the line of duty on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through an unmarked false ceiling and fell to his death. There was no safety railing in place to warn him – or anyone else – of the danger.

Maryanne Pope holding photo of her husband, John, who died on the job

Since John’s death, nearly 20,000 Canadians have died as the result of a workplace injury or illness. Although this number is staggering, many people are likely unaware of the cumulative – and steadily growing – death toll.

In reality, however, that number is likely 10 to 13 times higher.

Significant underestimation of workplace deaths

This project will be comprised of four videos that will share a similar look, feel and tone: one or two PSAs, a short video and a full-length documentary. These videos will be produced and distributed in phases over the next few years.

Phase 1: The first PSA (30-sec) will show the sheer volume of 20,000 deaths through the imagery of a growing tower of caskets (animated). This PSA will be aired on TV, shown on the JPMF website, You Tube channel and partner websites, as well as shared on social media.

Phase 2: The second PSA (30-sec) will show both the mounting death toll of deceased workers and the exponential number of loved ones left behind to pick up the pieces. This PSA will be animated but may include a real-life photo/s component. This PSA will be aired on TV, shown on the JPMF website, You Tube channel and partner websites, as well as shared on social media.

Phase 3: Through *photos, this short video (90-sec to 2-min) will highlight some of the real people behind the numbers (deceased workers and their loved ones) – to reflect the human loss associated with workplace fatalities. This video will be shown on the JPMF website, You Tube channel and partner websites as well as shared on social media.

Phase 4: Through multiple interviews reflecting a broad spectrum of workplace safety perspectives, the full-length documentary (approx. 90 min) will explore how we got to where we are (in terms of the unacceptable number of workplace fatalities) and what is being done – and not done – to help bring about a stronger culture of workplace safety for all Canadians.

Ultimately, we aim to continue partnering with like-minded individuals and organizations to help bring these numbers DOWN. As far as we’re concerned, one workplace fatality is one too many.

JPMF web logo square

Background: The John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (JPMF) is a registered Canadian charity. The JPMF was started shortly after John’s death for the purpose of raising public awareness about why and how people can make their workplaces – including the roads – safer for everyone, including first responders.

The JPMF has produced a 10-min safety video, as well as eight 30-second PSAs that have aired on TV over 2 million times. For further info or to view the videos please visit jpmf.ca.

*Call to family members who have been impacted by a workplace fatality: if you have lost a family member to a workplace fatality (due to injury or occupational illness) and are interested in participating in this project, we would like to hear from you.

We are looking for people who would be interested in sending us a photograph of your loved one, as well as a photo of you holding that same photo. These photos will be used in the public awareness campaign.

Please note, we have extended the deadline for receiving these photos to September 15th, 2020.

To find out how to participate (i.e. what we need from you in terms of photo parameters, resolution, etc), please contact our Casket Video Project Family Liaison, Rebecca Orr at rebecca@jpmf.ca.

For further information about the Casket video project, please contact Maryanne Pope (JPMF Director at Large & John’s widow) at maryanne@jpmf.ca or (778) 678-4496. Detailed treatments of all videos are available upon request.

Thank you for considering participating in this important project. We sincerely appreciate your willingness to share your story for the purpose of raising awareness about the unacceptable number of workplace fatalities caused by injury and illness in Canada…and ultimately, to help bring about a safer, healthier future for all Canadians.

threadsoflife

About Threads of Life: If you have been impacted by a workplace tragedy in Canada and are not familiar with the organization, Threads of Life; The Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, please visit their website. They are a Canadian registered charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease.