A worker has died after he was struck by a falling steel beam at the Port Kembla steelworks.<\/p>\n
The contractor, a man in his mid-20s, was working opposite the number-five blast furnace stockhouse when the accident occurred at 10:30am on Monday.<\/p>\n
BlueScope Steel said its preliminary assessment was that a crane that was lifting a steel beam had fallen and fatally struck the worker.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Emergency services were called to the scene and are assisting the company with its investigation.<\/p>\n
A BlueScope Steel spokesperson said the company was “deeply saddened by this tragedy”.<\/p>\n
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BlueScope Steel says the worker’s death is a tragedy. It is investigating the workplace accident.\u00a0 (\u00a0ABC Illawarra: Tim Fernandez)<\/p>\n
“Our immediate priority is supporting our people, the first responders and the family of those involved,” they said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and will provide further information when we are able.”<\/p>\n
Work halted as investigation begins<\/p>\n
SafeWork NSW inspectors have attended the scene and a report will be prepared for the coroner.<\/p>\n
“Work in the immediate area ceased immediately,” Australian Workers’ Union NSW branch secretary Tony Callinan said.<\/p>\n
“As is always the case when there is a fatality, we need to secure the scene and allow the relevant authorities to do their appropriate investigations.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Gavin Bubb from the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union speaking after a contractor died in a workplace accident at the Port Kembla steelworks.\u00a0 (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)<\/p>\n
Gavin Bubb from the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) said other workers are still coming to terms with the tragedy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis colleagues have been sent home, the project has pretty much stopped,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I haven\u2019t spoken to his friends per se, just his colleagues [and] they are all in shock.<\/p>\n
“I think everyone in and around the project is in shock.”<\/p>\n