Pilbara worker who died at an FMG mine site on September 30 David Armstrong.Credit:Facebook
Friends and family of the 25-year-old man who died at a Fortescue Pilbara mine site on Thursday have shared their grief over the tragic incident.
Drill and blast crew worker David Armstrong was killed when the ground collapsed underneath him while working at a mine at Fortescue Metal Group’s Solomon Hub on Thursday morning.
“I’ll love you until the end of time,” Coen Armstrong said in a tribute to his brother on Facebook.
“He was the sweetest and kindest soul, will miss you wavey davey,” a friend said.
The WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety is investigating the incident, which is the second death at a Pilbara mine site in as many weeks. On September 17 a maintenance worker at Citic Pacific’s Sino Iron operation died from injuries after a fall.
CFMEU WA state secretary Mick Buchan said Mr Armstrong’s death was a wake-up call. Mining was a dangerous industry and nothing should be taken for granted.
“It’s a tragic event, and that young man will never come back, his family and friends, everyone, will be devastated and live with that forever,” Mr Buchan said.
“Is a high-risk occupation, and workers spend a lot of time away from home, and everyone deserves to come home at the end of every swing.”
The union leader said Worksafe and the Department of Mines needed personnel located in the North West and South West where mining occurs.
He said achieving a safe workplace should not entirely depend on mining companies doing the right thing.
“When will we see a proactive presence of mines inspectors?” Mr Buchan said.
“I think that there needs to be a balanced relationship between the workforce and management.”
Mr Buchan wants greater worker involvement in developing procedures for risky activities, more training, and a level of supervision to match the experience of the workforce.
On Thursday Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said the company offered its deepest sympathy to the team member’s family, friends and colleagues.
“This is a very sad day for Fortescue and all our thoughts are with his family as we provide our full support to them at this very difficult time,” she said.
“The wellbeing of the entire Fortescue family is our priority with a range of support services available across our sites, including the Fortescue chaplains and employee assistance program.”
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