Timber worker death takes the week's toll to three

Wednesday, 26 July, 2006

A 62-year-old truck driver has died after a log being loaded onto his truck fell and hit him.

WorkSafe Victoria is investigating the death and executive director, John Merritt has confirmed it is the third death to be reported to the workplace health and safety regulator this week.

The Warburton man was working with others in a forest coupe when the incident happened. It is believed he was standing on the opposite side of the truck to the equipment being used to load the logs.

The spate of incidents has prompted Merritt to urge all employers and workers to review their operations, identify the known and potential hazards in their workplaces and develop plans to eliminate those hazards as far as is possible.

"Workplace health and safety should not be a mystery," Merritt said. "The overwhelming majority of the deaths and serious injuries reported to WorkSafe happen to people doing routine tasks."

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