26 April, 2017

MEDIA RELEASE

Lift safety focus of International Workers Memorial Day for E tū

E tū is focussing on lift safety as part of commemorations for International Workers Memorial Day which is marked globally on April 28th.

This is the day workers worldwide remember those who died on the job, or from work-related diseases and illnesses.

E tū will hold a short service on Wellington’s waterfront in remembrance of lift engineer, Brendon Scheib who died in January, 2016 whilst repairing a lift in the Harcourts Building in Wellington.

Brendon’s family, including his wife Deb, and the couple’s four daughters will attend, along with Brendon’s former colleagues in the industry, and representatives from other unions.

“The most important thing to highlight on this day is that everyone has the right to return home at the end of their working day, in one piece, to their families,” says E tū Senior National Industrial Officer, Paul Tolich.

E tū is working with the industry to improve the rules around lift safety after Worksafe’s report into Brendon’s death found the industry’s voluntary Code of Practice is inadequate.

Paul says Worksafe needs to act quickly to put in place an enforceable code to keep lift workers safe and seems to be dragging the chain.

“The price of a safe workplace is eternal vigilance. Worksafe found the voluntary Code of Practice for Brendon’s industry falls short and won’t endorse it.

“The best way to remember Brendon is to put this right. E tū is focussed on having enforceable Codes of Practice in all industries, including the lift industry, which give people a much better chance of coming home in one piece.”

ENDS

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