Man killed at his Christchurch work was 'nice guy and a good friend'

Thursday, 16 January 2020

Christchurch man Mandeep Sandhu died following a workplace incident at a business on Distribution Lane in Sockburn about 6.20pm on Wednesday.

A man killed in an accident at a Christchurch glass manufacturing business has been remembered as a 'good friend' who was always happy.

Mandeep Sandhu ,24, originally from Firozpur in India, died in a workplace incident at glass manufacturing company, Stake Glass on Distribution Lane in Sockburn about 6.20pm on Wednesday.

Sandhu was a 'nice guy and a good friend', friend Harpreet Hura said.

Sandhu moved to Christchurch in 2015 and had been working at Stake Glass for the last two years.

Friend and flatmate Rahul Bhadu said Sandhu enjoyed his job.

Christchurch glass manufacturing company Stake Glass was closed because of 'unforeseen circumstances' on Thursday. (File photo).

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'He was friendly, he was happy … always smiling. He was sharing things [with us] all the time.'

When Sandhu was not at work, he spent most of his time keeping fit. He was a member of a local gym and was a keen cricketer playing for the St Albans cricket club.

Friend Harpreet Hura said Sandhu was a 'nice guy and a good friend'.

'His parents are very sad and we will arrange somehow to send his body to India. May his soul rest in peace,' Hura said.

The news of Sandhu's death had 'destroyed' his family, Bhadu said.

'They were saying that we are destroyed now because he was the only son for his parents … he was like everything for them.'

Although details of the accident remain hazy, it is understood he was crushed while operating machinery making glass panels.

WorkSafe manufacturing lead Julie-Ann Mail said safety within the manufacturing sector remained a priority for WorkSafe as eight people had died between October 2018 and October 2019.

'All too often we are seeing workers fatally injured, particularly by mechanisms such as vehicles or being hit by an object. We are also seeing a number of illnesses and injuries caused by body stresses and slips, trips and falls.'

She said one of the best ways to manage health and safety in the workplace was to involve workers in the risk assessment process.

'It is vital that employers understand risks involved in their line of work and look at controls and the best ways to mitigate this risk.

'They are on the front line and that is where employers will get their best details around how to efficiently manage risk,' she said.

Stake Glass did not respond to Stuff when reached for comment on Thursday.

An automated message on the company's consulting line said the business was closed because of 'unforeseen circumstances' on Thursday.

Sandhu's death has been referred to the coroner and police and WorkSafe continue to investigate.