An investigation is under way following a workplace fatality at a local timber mill.
SafeWork SA and SA Police are investigating the death of a man at the Timberlink Australia mill at Tarpeena last Wednesday morning.
Emergency services were called to the mill just after 1.30am and a SafeWork SA spokesman said the death happened “following an incident involving a front-end loader”.
The mill was closed following the incident and reopened yesterday.
A SafeWork SA investigator and inspector have attended the mill and are making further enquiries around the circumstances of the incident.
Timberlink was closed in the days following the incident, with the company issuing a statement late last week.
“While the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being clarified and are subject to ongoing investigation by South Australian Police and SafeWork SA, the worker involved was an electrician and had been with Timberlink for over 20 years,” the statement said.
“The incident occurred in an exclusion zone and the worker was struck by mobile plant.
“Systems and processes are present to manage the health and safety risks associated with pedestrian and mobile plant interaction at site and these are currently being reviewed.
“Timberlink is committed to cooperating and working with South Australian Police and SafeWork SA throughout their ongoing investigation.
“Timberlink will keep stakeholders informed of any further material updates or developments to the extent it is appropriate to do so in light of the ongoing investigations.
“Timberlink’s priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved. Our focus is on providing ongoing welfare support to those directly affected and our entire workforce, and then, the safe recommencement of activity at the Tarpeena site, in consultation with its workforce and SafeWork SA.”
The statement said, with those considerations in mind, it was anticipated the Tarpeena site would recommence with a safe start half day yesterday for all Tarpeena shifts and workers.
“On the basis of a successful safe start process on Monday, operations will recommence on the morning of Tuesday, August 27,” the statement said.
“We are devastated to lose a valued, longstanding member of the Timberlink family.
“We extend our condolences to the worker’s family, friends and co-workers at such a difficult time and express our deepest sympathy to everyone affected.”
