"killed after a fall close to ten meters"

Throughout our industry working from height is a hazard that has resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities.

 

Following the fatal accident one morning during the week of September 6, 2020, the employees of the company, in shock, decided to stop work.

A 37-year-old man, an employee of an aluminium extrusion company, located in the North Africa was killed yesterday morning after a close fall ten meters, according to information gathered from other workers at the plant. 

 

The victim was working at height at the oven at the time of the tragic accident. She is part of a team that was brought in by the Chinese investor from another unit in the west of the country two days ago, according to employees. 

 

The same sources say that the 37-year-old employee, who died, was not wearing any protective equipment, which is mandatory for this kind of task. The body of the victim was deposited by the Civil Protection at the morgue of the 20 kilometers away in the provincial capital.

 

Following this fatal accident, the employees of the company decided to stop work. They all left the company. 

 

Thus, several workers denounce the poor working conditions in this company which specializes in the production of aluminum building materials and equipment.

 

“We work without any protective equipment. The employer gave us nothing. We have neither safety shoes nor work clothes, let alone masks to protect us from the risks of the dust that is generated inside the factory.

 

Workers are exposed to all dangers, ”says one employee. Several accidents have taken place in this factory recently. Several cases of fainting have been recorded in recent months, especially among women who work there in large numbers. 

Workers have been evacuated to the city's polyclinic for discomfort caused by the strong smells of chemicals used in the production of aluminum equipment, employees testified. This factory is also singled out by the inhabitants of the town for pollution.

Protest actions have been carried out recently to demand the closing of the oven from which poisonous smoke escapes and which is spreading throughout the town.

 

We offer our sincere condolences to the deceased worker’s family, friends, and coworkers.

 

We do not know why the worker was not wearing a safety harness prior to and while working from height. This incident could have been prevented or minimized if the worker was properly wearing and using a safety harness. We pray that the local government will enforce the he safety standards that the governmental safety organization has put forth.

 

On our travels we have toured some aluminium plants where safety was not important to the owner(s). We have heard of the frustration from the plant management, shift foremen, etc. that they receive no support from the owners in terms of safety. We offer whatever support we can give. We then challenge the plant management, foremen, etc. to change the safety environment. Commonly, the response will be “how can we do it?” We respond, “It doesn’t matter, but if you do not change the safety environment going forward every incident, every injury, every fatality will be your responsibility.” We have found that when you look in the eye and tell a manager(s) that they are personally and morally responsible for the next injury or fatality is either goes well or really bad. We tell them to act. We offer the tact of using preventing production stoppages to install safety measures. They are other ways of installing safety measures to counter the owner’s lack of safety focus.

 

Lastly, we acknowledge how crazy our comments above may seem. If they do, then you are at a plant, with a company that cares about safety. Sadly, not all plants, nor all companies are like that.

 

Please comment.