Sydney printer’s life ends in tragedy

Man in his thirties dies at western Sydney business after becoming trapped in printing press.

Paramedics arrived at the scene at Kellaway Place in Wetherill Park at 6.09 pm Friday night, but it was too late to save the worker.

According to a spokesman from the Ambulance Service of NSW, the man’s upper body was stuck in a printing press. “He had massive head injuries from which he died,” said the spokesman. “He was deceased by the time that the paramedics arrived.”

It is believed that the death took place at Ultra Press, a trade printer located at 5 Kellaway Place, Wetherill Park. One source told Print21 that the company was still running as usual, though the mood is sombre.

A spokesman from WorkCover said that investigations into the death are ongoing.

Printers urged to keep safety at the forefront

General manager of WorkCover NSW’s Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson, said WorkCover NSW was committed to achieving healthier work environments in the printing industry which reduced the incidence of injuries and improved workplace safety.
 
“WorkCover has increased its focus on providing practical advice to the printing industry which has helped reduce workplace injuries to their lowest levels in 20 years.
 
“In 2009 WorkCover and the Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) launched an initiative to assist the printing industry improve workplace safety which involved more than 1500 printing businesses across the State.
 
“The program targets key areas such as injury management and workplace consultation to assist businesses to deliver sustainable occupational health and safety outcomes.”
 
Machinery commonly used in the printing industry, including presses, binders, stitchers, folders, die cutters and guillotines have many moving parts and are considered high-risk due to the injuries a person can sustain if they come into contact with these moving parts.