January 30, 2007
Media Release
Lines death a tragedy - EPMU
The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union offers its condolences to the family of the Ashburton lines worker and
union member who died yesterday after the transformer power pole he was working on collapsed.
The accident happened in the nearby town of Hinds and involved two workers from Electricity Ashburton, the second of
whom is in a stable condition in Christchurch Hospital.
EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the union is confident there will be a thorough investigation.
“We will fully cooperate in what we expect to be a comprehensive investigation and are pleased to see that Electricity
Ashburton is doing what it can to provide support for workers affected by this tragedy.
“We’ll make further comment on this situation once an accident report is produced but in the meantime we want to extend
our full sympathies to those involved.”
The EPMU represents around 5000 workers in the electrical and telecommunications industry.
ENDS