Worker crushed to death

These were the words which echoed throughout the Rodmill and Cold End Department by Anil Bickramdass at Arcelor Mittal Steel plant, before his head was crushed between coil compactor No. 3 early yesterday morning.

Bickramdass, 38, a mechanic and father of a three-year-old girl was due to collect his confirmation letter at the end of his six-month probation period which ended yesterday.

However, he did not get the chance to collect the letter as moments after speaking to co-workers he was crushed to death on compactor No. 3 at the company’s rod mill.

For 15 years Bickramdass was employed at Randy’s General Contractors and he started off as a technician at Mittal Steel.

According to an eye witness who asked not to be identified, at about 8.30 am, Bickramdass was instructed to repair a malfunctioning coil compactor in the rolling mill area as part of his routine duties.

“Bickramdass spent a couple of minutes fixing the coil compactor. After some time, the machine operator shouted to Bickramdass asking whether he was finished or not. Bickramdass told the machine operator that he could switch on the machine since he had finished the repair,” the worker said. The eyewitness said that where the machine operator was standing he could not see Bickramdass who apparently spotted some loose wiring in the compactor and went back into it to adjust the wiring.

“The machine operator did not know all of this and when he switched on the compactor, Anil’s head got caught in the middle of the compactor,” the eyewitness said.

“It is protocol at the industry that when a person calls out for help, the entire machine be switched off which the operator did. But when he switched off the machine the compactors still held on to and crushed Bickramdass’ head.”

“By the time they reached Bickramdass, there was blood streaming from his head and everyone started screaming.” Bickramdass was rushed to the company’s onsite Health Care Centre where medics confirmed he was already dead.

When Newsday visited the steel plant yesterday the gate to the entrance of the Rolling Mill was locked and workers were seen walking around in a daze.

Arcelor Mittal communications manager Fazad Mohammed in a statement said that a team comprising officials of the company’s Health and Safety Department, Operations Unit and representatives of the Steel Workers Union of Trinidad and Tobago had launched an investigation into the accident.

“The company is also working with the Occupational Safety Health Agency and the relevant authorities to facilitate their independent investigations to determine the root cause of the accident.” When Newsday visited Bickramdass’ family, at the Mc Bean, Couva, they described him as a quiet and spiritual person.

Bickramdass’ wife Vashti, 36, was too traumatised to speak to the media.