The two men were employed by a subcontractor, and on site to empty a cistern of tar as part of maintenance work carried out every six years. The men tragically fell into the cistern of tar and were later found dead.
The president of Swedish union IF Metall, and IndustriALL affiliate, Anders Ferbe says:
“In the wake of yet another terrible accident, we feel for the families of the deceased. We can not tolerate a situation where people are risking their lives at work.”
Fatal accidents in the workplace are ultimately the responsibility of the employer, and in the last years the Swedish government has decreased support for preventive health and safety measures in the workplace.
Anders Ferbe continues:
”We now see the effects of more lax health and safety measures. We have zero tolerance for fatal accidents at work.”
IndustriALL Global Union General Secretary Jyrki Raina says:
”It is deep tragedy that the two men have died at work. We extend our condolances to their families. It is also tragic that people still die at work at the end of 2013. Health and safety are paramount and should never be compromised.”