Worker crushed to death

Posted Wed Jan 14, 2009
10:24am AEDT
Updated Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:14am AEDT

A man has been crushed to death at a metal recycling factory in Brooklyn,
in Melbourne's west.

Police say a bailing unit fell on the man at Sims Metal at 8:30am (AEDT).

Worksafe spokesman, Paul Fallon, says investigators are trying to work
out what happened."Worksafe Victoria has been notified that a worker has
died at a Brooklyn factory after being crushed," he said."Our inspectors
are currently on the scene, and investigators, to attempt to establish the
cause of death."

Witnesses have told police that a 51-year-old Greystaines man was
assisting in the installation of a metal bailing machine.

One piece of the machine was in place and cranes were being used to lower
a second part of the machine onto the first.

Police believe that a guide rope has broken causing machinery to move,
crushing the man.

Paramedic, David Kervin, says the man died before ambulance officers
could help him."When we arrived, obviously the gentleman was trapped
in a position that was a little bit difficult for us to access, however, upon
accessing, the gentleman had unfortunately, already died on our arrival,"
he said.

Mr Fallon, says January is traditionally bad for workplace accidents.
"We're not sure why it is, but there are those things, whether equipment
has been properly maintained, whether in fact it is the fact that some are
letting their guards down, we don't know," he said.

"But we know from recent history that it is that time of year where they're
more likely to die than any other month."

WCV's: January being a bad month is not an excuse for these accidents
worksafe!