Wharfies shut down docks in Melbourne

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Wharfies shut down docks in Melbourne

Vic wharfies have shut down the operations of major docks for 24 hours after a worker was crushed to...

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UPDATE 9.12am: WHARFIES won't return to work until this afternoon after shutting down one of the country's biggest port operations in response to a worker's death.

A Dingley Village dock worker, 41, died yesterday after a steel beam fell on top of him at Docklands.

A crane had been lifting the 2.7 tonne steel beam around 9.30am at Appleton Dock when it suddenly collapsed.

Emergency crews were told the crane's load then struck the man on the head, an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said.

He died before paramedics could arrive at the scene.

The Maritime Union of Australia shut down the 27 P&O Automotive and General Stevedoring (POAGS) docks at ports around Australia at midday yesterday, declaring the industry in crisis, with three dock workers killed on the job this year.

The 40-year-old was killed at Appleton Dock in Port Melbourne after a three-tonne steel beam fell on top of him around 9.15am on Wednesday.

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The father of two from Dingley Village was rigging a steel drum to a lifting device with the steel beam.

Worksafe Victoria inspectors believe the hydraulic jacks failed to operate in unison, causing the beam to fall on the worker.

The MUA says this is the second death at POAGS wharves this year and the third fatality at Appleton Dock in seven years.

In response, wharfies shut down the operations of a major stevedoring company for 24 hours.

Workers will return to work at 3pm as the union continues to push for national regulations, streamlined safety standards and stronger terms of reference covering the nation's wharves.

“We've been calling for these changes six deaths ago now,'' MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said today.

“We want it addressed. We're not having another person killed.''

He said the union has met with on and plans to continue discussions today.

“We need their cooperation,'' he said.

“It's not just this company, it's all the companies.''

Mr Crumlin said there was a yawning gap and inadequacies in state and federal safety legislation covering the nation's wharves.

“The industry's safety record is appalling,'' he said.

“We need national legislation. We need regulation, not guidelines. We need the federal government to intervene. The industry has failed to regulate itself and urgent intervention is now required.'' 

POAGS is a major supplier of stevedoring and port management services.

Since the deaths of two dock workers earlier this year, the MUA has lobbied the government for national regulations and called for stronger terms of reference for the Safe Work Australia Stevedoring Temporary Advisory Group.

A POAGS spokesman said safety at its sites was “consistent with national industry standards and complies with all relevant legislative requirements''.

POAGS said its safety systems “are the best that we're aware of'', but acknowledged the stoppage at its 27 ports would delay the loading and unloading of 15 vessels.

WorkSafe is conducting an investigation as the 13th workplace fatality in the state this year - the fifth death caused by a large objects falling from above.

"Every year, WorkSafe attends a number of very serious incidents involving cranes - they're large machines which can have horrific consequences if something goes wrong,'' WorkSafe's Manufacturing and Logistics Director Ross Pilkington said in a statement.

The name of the man has not been released.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Spare a thought for this man's family and friends, another worker that won't go home tonight.
James

Check out the photos from recent safety presentations I did to the apprentices at Jemena in Melbourne.
www.cnbsafe.com.au/james-wood-gallery