Mill workers are stunned by yet another tragedy

Workers at Pacific Steel are praying for a miracle after yet another accident at the South Auckland mill.

Danny Campbell is in a critically condition in Middlemore Hospital after a fall at the Otahuhu site today.

In June, two men were killed at the site when a bundle of reinforcing steel fell from an electromagnetic crane, knocking a stack of bundles on to them. In 1998, two men died in accidents at the mill and another was seriously injured.

EPMU assistant Auckland regional secretary Gavin Bell said that workers at the site are devastated.

“They can’t believe that so soon after the last tragedies, another workmate has been felled,” he said.

Mr Campbell is a union delegate at the smelter site.

“Danny Campbell is an inspiration to other workers and fellow delegates,” Mr Bell said.

“He is a natural leader who has worked tirelessly to improve the working conditions on the site. That he should be involved in such an accident is a tragedy.”

The union is investigating the incident and the level of health and safety at Pacific Steel.

“We are obviously very concerned about the safety of workers on that site,” Mr Bell said.

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