FIJI

Crushed to Death

From the Fiji Sun, 19 July 2001

Death visited a mill in Lautoka, known as Sugar City, on 18 July.

Sugar mill worker Khalil Usman’s arm was ripped off, his body stripped of clothing, and his body crushed after falling onto a conveyer belt where he was working.

A police spokesman said it looked like Mr Usman’s overalls had beeen caught by a protruding axle, and dragged him onto the conveyor belt.

Mr Usman had eight years experience at the mill according to general manager, Raymond Wade, who expressed the company’s condolences to his wife and five children.

Wade’s sincerity was tempered by claims from Mr Usman’s workmates that huge reductions in the workforce had left those remaining with bigger workloads.

Two major issues immediately present themselves – guards covering exposed machinery, and work-related stress. It is hoped that these issues will be seriously considered in the police enquiry into the death.

From the Fiji Sun, 19 July 2001

The Daily Post newspaper, 44 percent of it owned by the government, has received an Improvement Notice from the Occupational Health and Safety office of the Ministry of Labour.

Criticism of the company’s working environment included overcrowding, poor air quality, and unsanitary toilets, and dangerously exposed electrical cables and wiring.

Post publisher, Yashwant Goundar, refused to comment on the conditions.

Reports were vague about the existence of an OHS committee at the site, suggesting that none exists. This is an ideal opportunity for the workforce to become involved in their own health and safety issues.