July 11, 2006
Media Release
Trained workers save factory from fire
The heroic actions of workers who saved a North Canterbury wood processing plant from fire demonstrate the vital role of
workplace health and safety, says the workers’ union.
Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that the union was proud of the
quick action and cool heads of the workers who put out a sawdust fire following an explosion at the Carter Holt Harvey
medium density fibreboard plant at Sefton on Saturday morning before it spread to the rest of the factory.
“It was a dangerous situation, but there is a very strong workplace health and safety system working at that plant, and
the workers knew what to do,” he said.
“They swung into action, and prevented what could have been a disaster for the workers, the North Canterbury community
and the company.
“The handful of employers and lobbyists who rail against the requirements of the Health and Safety in Employment Act
should take note; without the actions of these workers, the human and financial cost could have been huge.”
ENDS