Unions' safety calls as details of death of Scunthorpe Corus steelworker emerge

UNION bosses have warned all their UK representatives to check safety procedures at work after new details emerged of the death of a Scunthorpe steelworker.

Unite, the second biggest trade union on Scunthorpe's Corus works, issued the warning after it revealed Thomas Standerline was crushed during a fatal incident at the steelworks on April 23.

Unite has urged its army of health and safety officials to ensure proper measures and procedures are in place to safeguard workers.

The nationwide alert came as the Health And Safety Executive (HSE) continued its investigation into the death of the 26-year-old Burton-Upon- Stather electrician who was killed while working on Corus' continuous casting plant on April 23.

In a statement, Unite said Mr Standerline was working on a high level access platform on a semi-Goliath crane when he was trapped and crushed by an overhead crane that was operating on the crane track level above.

Terry Pye, Unite's national officer for the steel industry, said: "It is important other employers are aware of this incident so they can make sure nothing similar to this can happen elsewhere.

"We are calling on all Unite safety representatives to raise this alert with their employers and check that, if they have similar arrangements in place, all necessary steps have been taken to make sure a tragedy such as this cannot happen to them."

Mr Pye added: "This is a tragic incident where yet another Unite member has been killed at work. We are working with Corus to find the reasons for this accident and the HSE is investigating all of the circumstances surrounding this death."

Bud Hudspith, Unite's health and safety advisor, said the union's decision to release details of Mr Standerline's death was only to highlight potential safety issues.

"We are not looking to blame anyone by releasing this information," he said.

"The important thing for us is to say to employers: 'have you got cranes like this and are your safety procedures OK?'"

In the alert Unite has reminded all British employers that:

It is essential to identify all hazards in particular exposure to other moving equipment

Procedures should ensure all the identified hazards are adequately controlled.

Prior to starting any activity a risk assessment should be made to check that hazards are controlled

Rachel Cox, spokeswoman for the Scunthorpe Corus site, said: "The accident on April 23 led to a tragic loss of life.

"Corus can confirm that the investigation into the death of Tom Standerline is ongoing.

"We are continuing to cooperate with the external investigators.

"While these investigations are ongoing we can't comment further."

The HSE was unavailable for comment.

As previously reported, family and friends of Mr Standerline, who lived in Burton-Upon-Stather, are setting up a memorial trust fund to assist budding young musicians in North Lincolnshire.