A man has died in a workplace accident at an abattoir in WA’s south-west – the second workplace fatality at the site this year. The man in his 60s died on Thursday after he became trapped between the trailer and the cab of a semi-trailer truck at the Western Meat Processors plant in Cowaramup.
The man, whose name has not been released, was a subcontractor for a trucking company which collects offal from the abattoir to process into fertiliser. The abattoir was closed on Friday as WorkSafe investigators attended the site.
A family friend of an abattoir employee told the publication that the man was found still alive, but crushed between his semi-trailer and a backloading platform. Workers performed first aid but the man died shortly afterwards.
Western Meat Processors chief executive Andrew Fuda said the company was shocked and saddened by the man’s death.
“I speak for all the employees of Western Meat Processors in offering our deepest condolences to this man’s family, employer and colleagues.”
“He was one of the ones people enjoyed working with because he had a good sense of humour and was friendly,” the abattoir worker’s friend said.
Augusta-Margaret River shire president Ian Earl said the second workplace death at the abattoir this year was a “terribly sad occasion” that was “very hard for the whole community.”
“It’s a terrible tragedy for his family and friends and all the workers out at the abattoir,” he said.
A 49-year-old man died at the abattoir in February. Manuel Escurel, a slaughterman who had worked at the abattoir for 14 years, died after accidentally severing his femoral artery with a knife.
The WorkSafe investigation into his death is still ongoing.
Source: 7News
