Journal Staff
The Ontario Labour Ministry investigated an incident at St. Patrick’s high school in which a lead pipe fell through the ceiling of a classroom.
The second-floor classroom was being used by a Grade 9 geography class on May 31 when the metre-long (three-foot) pipe came crashing through the ceiling.
No injuries were reported by staff or students, and the class was immediately relocated to the library.
Scott Johnson, superintendent of education at the St. Clair District Catholic School Board, said a pipe that had not been properly secured when the school was constructed in 1995 and loosened by ongoing roofing work.
School staff and Bullock Roofing had determined the construction posed no safety risk to students, Johnson said.
“This incident has caused us to certainly reconsider that.”
The Ministry contacted the school after being informed of the incident and immediately dispatched two investigators to the site. They told The Journal on June 2 that no orders were issued.
Johnson said the roof repairs have been suspended during school hours and will only take place between 2:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
After-school programs and community use in affected areas of the school will also be halted until the work is complete, he added.