Wharfie was crushed to death by container on ship at Ports of Auckland
Sunday, 30 August 2020
The death of a wharfie at the Ports of Auckland who was crushed underneath a container aboard a ship has sparked a call for an independent inquiry.
The lasher died about 2am Sunday on a ship at the Fergusson Container Terminal.
Maritime Union Auckland Local 13 secretary Russell Mayn said the stevedore was crushed by a container.
Ports of Auckland would not comment on the circumstances of the incident as an investigation was under way.
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Because the incident happened aboard a ship, it is being investigated by Maritime NZ rather than WorkSafe.
Police are also making enquires into the death.
It comes less than two weeks after the Ports of Auckland admitted a health and safety charge at the Auckland District Court following the death of 23-year-old Laboom Midnight Dyer two years earlier.
Dyer was driving a straddle carrier on Fergusson Wharf when it tipped. He was seriously injured and died in hospital five days later.
“We’ve just had a gutsful,” said Mayn.
“And now we’ve got another death on our hands.”
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Mayn said he went to the wharf at 4am on Sunday but police would not allow him to approach the scene.
The previous month, Ports of Auckland and one of its skippers were fined for failing to comply with their health and safety duties after a pilot boat accidentally struck and killed ocean swimmer Leslie Gelberger.
Mayn is highly critical of the 12-hour-shifts and 60-hour-weeks expected of stevedores employed by the Ports, and called for an independent review in the wake of the latest death.
“Too many hours. Graveyard shifts may be alright in some situations … but this is not a factory.
“This is outside, in all weathers, in a dangerous place. It's hard work.
“Lashing on board the ship is a physically demanding, heavy job, and it's dangerous.”
Mayn, who started working on the wharves in 1973, said eight-hour shifts were the norm in his day.
It is unclear if the worker killed in the accident, whose name is yet to be released, was a union member.
Mayn said union members on the wharf in Auckland had left the worksite on Sunday following the death.
“They said they're not coming in because of the accident. They want to show a bit of respect for the person who’s died.”
Chief executive Tony Gibson said staff at Ports of Auckland were devastated by the death.
“An investigation is under way, and we are providing support to our staff member’s family and all our staff. Their welfare is our number one concern.”
St John was called to Sunderland St in Parnell at 2.08am, sending an ambulance and a manager.
A spokesman said its services were not required.