All shredders to be safety-tested

The Department of Labour is checking the safety of industrial shredders used in refuse transfer stations after a man was dismembered in an accident in New Plymouth.

Manawatu Waste Ltd worker Chris Fromont, 48, lost both legs and an arm in the refuse transfer station accident last Wednesday.

His family have demanded an investigation into the circumstances. The department's chief health and safety adviser, Mike Cosman, said yesterday that health and safety inspectors from the department's 14 regions would visit all known refuse transfer and composting stations that use industrial shredders to ensure they were safe for use.

Mr Cosman said the work would include checking the guarding of dangerous parts of the machinery, systems for clearing blockages, procedures for any sole-charge work and emergency responses. The safety checks would begin immediately.

"While the department has no reason to believe that there are widespread problems with these types of shredders, we do want reassurance that they are operating safely.

"This also does not mean to say that we have established machinery failure as a cause of last week's accident."

The department's investigation into the shredder accident was continuing.

Witnesses were being interviewed and the machine involved was being tested for faults.

The company's other machine, in Wanganui, has been stopped and is also being tested.

Mr Fromont is in serious condition and is not well enough to be interviewed.

Mr Cosman said the department was aware it was a very emotional time for the family and colleagues of Mr Fromont but "we must continue to carry out our investigation impartially and methodically".

"If workers have concerns about the safety of any machinery they should raise them with their employers. Remember that in certain circumstances, employees can refuse to perform work likely to cause them serious harm."

The investigation could take months to complete.

- NZPA