KZN man killed by meat grinder
2010-12-20 12:23
Durban - A man was killed when his arm was caught in a meat grinder at Shoprite Checkers in Durban, the Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant said on Monday.
“I will do a thorough investigation into the incident to check whether all safety procedures were adhered to,” she said in a statement.
“The probe is to determine the cause of the incident and necessary steps to be taken, should any areas of non-compliance be detected.”
Labour inspectors were at the shop after the incident on Sunday.
“They revealed that whilst the deceased was operating a meat mincing machine, his arm got caught in the moving parts of the machine resulting in his upper body being pulled in.”
The man died instantly.
Prohibition notice served
The labour department served a prohibition notice on the employer to immediately stop the use, repair or destruction of the machine without obtaining the permission of the labour inspector assigned to the investigation.
“The notice will not be revoked until the employer has satisfied inspectors that all safety operating procedures are met and complied with in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” said Oliphant’s spokesperson Mzobanzi Jikazana.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) demanded an investigation into the man’s death.
“As the Cosatu in KwaZulu-Natal we demand a full, transparent, independent investigation into the matter. We will not rest until we get to the bottom of this matter,” said provincial chairman Chris Ndlela in a statement.
Ndlela said victim was a casual worker who had been employed for two weeks.
“This therefore re-affirms our call for an end to casualisation and labour brokers,” he said.
The police were not immediately available for comment.
- SAPA
