Fell Backwards On Twin Circular Saws

Northern Advocate, 18 November 1940, Page 2

Fell Backwards On Twin Circular Saws

The story of a fatal accident in a small sawmill at Whangaruru on October 22, was told in the Whangarei Courthouse this morning when the district coroner (Mr G. H.' Morrish) concluded an adjourned inquest into the death of Johnßeti, a Maori millhand.

After hearing remaining evidence, the coroner returned a verdict that death was due to shock and loss oi blood from two long, deep wounds to the back of the chest received through falling backwards on to revolving twin circular saws. Adequate Safeguards, Inspection of the mill had shown that the machinery was in good order, said Llewellyn Wynn Williams, inspector of machinery for the Marine Department, Auckland. He was satisfied that no additional safeguard could have been provided he told Mr D. A. Williams, who represented relatives of Reti. Contractor to the Kauri Timber Company, Arthur John Lloyd, described the layout of the mill and machinery. Reti had been helping him. but when his saw struck a stone and required sharpening, Reti had gone to the break-down bench. I Dragged by Saw? He heard a yell and saw Reti lying by the side of the bench huddled up with a deep cut across his shoulder. He was unconscious and was taken to the Whangarei Hospital. Reti had been employed by him for about five months and was efficient at the type of work he was engaged upon at the time of the accident, Lloyd told Mr D. A. Williams. To Sergeant Grainger, who conducted the case for the police, Lloyd said it was probably that Reti had been crossing between the end of a log which was in process of being cut and the saw and might have slipped, his clothing being caught by the topi saw and dragging him on to the bottom saw. Believed Reti Slipped. Norman Allan Johnstone said that the engine had been shut off for the morning smoke-o at the time of the accident, but the saws had not ceased revolving. Reti had been thrown five feet from the saws and had been badly cut on the back, said James Lloyd. He eculd not say what caused him to fall into the saw.

If he'had been attempting to lever the log, the crowbar might have slipped, causing him to fall backwards on to the saws. From his position when first seen at the saws, Lloyd formed the opinion that he had been crossing the foot of the bench and had slipped.