Construction sites were one of the most dangerous places to work in late 18th and early 20th century Guelph, Ontario. Ditch digging and working on Scaffolds could be and were fatal. Legislation did not cover scaffolding until 1911. In Guelph, a Scaffold Inspector was not appointed until 1913. This resulted only after the many complaints of the Guelph Trades and Labour Council and several deaths during 1912 and 1913.