Kurt Bugeja Coster
Quarry worker critically injured in fall
Police conclude their initial investigations into a fall that could cost the life of a man working in a quarry near Għar Lapsi. Photo: Jason Borg.
Silence settled over a quarry, set among the picturesque hills leading to Għar Lapsi, when a 32-year-old worker was critically injured after he fell the height of eight storeys yesterday afternoon.
The police said the man, who lives in the quiet southern town of Għaxaq, was still breathing when he was carried into a waiting ambulance by firemen and paramedics at about 4 p.m.
He was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was taken into intensive care and was last night still battling for his life because of his extensive injuries.
Sources said that when questioned by the police none of the other quarry workers said they had seen the man fall. They said they last saw him walking towards machinery placed at the quarry's edge and continued with their work. When they realised he did not return, they became suspicious and went to look over the edge, spotting the victim lying on the ground eight storeys below.
One policeman was left with the dusty quarry workers, who had abandoned their heavy machinery and silently gathered in a small room by the large aluminium gate.
The quarry, situated halfway along the hill leading to Għar Lapsi and one of the many pocketing the vicinity, is owned by Polidano Brothers.
Duty Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona appointed a number of experts to assist him in the inquiry.
Police Inspector Malcolm Bondi is heading police investigations.
The Occupational Health and Safety Authority is also investigating.
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Robert Zammit
Apr 16th 2009, 23:28
"Dear Godfrey, working in a quarry brings with it numerous dangers which cannot be countered for by any safety precautions. It is a very dangerous place by its very nature of work. "
Dear Eric, that kind of mentality is the precise reason for Malta's stone age health and safety work ethic. Our prayers are with the worker - but I think he'd much rather had better safety at work.
Alex Azzopardi
Apr 11th 2009, 22:55
@LGalea
Have you ever seen how a quarry works ??
Its impossible to make barriers as both heavy vehicles and machinery must work on the edges to cut stones .
victor sammut
Apr 11th 2009, 12:46
Lets all pray and may god will be with this GENTLEMAN,speedy recovery.he is a hardworker quiet family man.
LGalea
Apr 10th 2009, 09:37
Eric Camilleri
Of course there are dangers in quarries as in every employment, but why should not barriers be placed so that workers and anyone else cannot fall?
It is that simple.
j.cini
Apr 9th 2009, 23:44
Dan li tista tghamel:
http://www.ferret.com.au/n/Improving-safety-at-quarry-face-n695711
Eric Camilleri
Apr 9th 2009, 14:13
Dear Godfrey, working in a quarry brings with it numerous dangers which cannot be countered for by any safety precautions. It is a very dangerous place by its very nature of work.
If its an issue of a staircase without security railings its one thing, if its a quarry's edge its another. Our prayers with this victim.
Godfrey Camilleri
Apr 9th 2009, 12:19
Where construction is concerned I prefer to talk in storeys since here we do not need some accurate measurement. Well in this case our concern should be with the injured person. I think the rules should exist for such work and those employing people without safety precautions/apparata should be held responsible. Well lets see what the police/magistrate's reports will conclude/recommend.
Julian Mompalao de Piro
Apr 9th 2009, 11:01
Isn't it time we started talking heights in metres rather than storeys? The height of a storey has changed considerably in recent years.