FATAL SHOCK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26707, 28 February 1948, Page 5

FATAL SHOCK

FERTILISER WORKS ACCIDENT

A verdict that Edwin Gerald Mitchell, a labourer, aged 34, died from haemorrhage and shock resulting from injuries accidentally received while in the course of his duties at work, was returned by the Coroner, Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., at the inquest which was concluded yesterday. Tlie evidence showed, said Mr Bundle, that the deceased did not switch off the electric power before going past the guard fence of the machinery in which his clothing became caught, resulting in his almost instant death. Mr F. W. McElrea appeared for the widow and dependents of the deceased, and Mr A N. Haggitf represented the Dominion Fertiliser Company, the employers, and an insurance company. Tlie nature of the machinery which the deceased attended to at the Ravensbourne fertiliser works was described by the inspector of machinery for the Marine Department, Henry Claxton Higgs. In his opinion, the deceased met his death when he climbed oyer the guard rail to retrieve the rammer bar with which he cleared the grid. It was not the practice to get inside the guard rail, and he would not allow it, said the assistant manager of the works, William Lawrence Robinson. None of the men had complained that the rammer was too short to use from outside the rail, and even if an operative lost his grip on the bar, there was no reason why the motors should not be switched off before getting it out. The management urged that the men should take every precaution. After a previous serious accident an inspection of all machinery was made, and additional guards were fitted. Medical evidence was given by Dr E. F. D’Ath, who conducted a post-mortem examination.

Mr Bundle said it appeared that, having gone safely past the guard on other occasions. the deceased had developed a contempt for the danger. Although the rammer bar had since been lengthened, there had been no complaints about its being unsuitable. The consensus of opinion was that a sensible man would have first turned the machinery off before passing the guard.