Two labourers die in separate workplace accidents

HARIPUR: Two labourers were killed in separate workplace accidents in Haripur district on Sunday, in incidents that again drew attention to safety conditions at industrial and mining sites.

In the first incident, a worker died after falling into machinery at a paper manufacturing plant in Hattar Industrial Estate. The deceased was identified as Shan Haider, son of Umar Daraz. He was working the night shift when the accident took place. Reports said he became trapped in the machine and died at the site.

Rescue work continued for several hours before the body was removed from the machinery and taken to the Rural Health Centre Kot Najibullah for medico-legal formalities. This was the second fatal industrial accident in Hattar within a month. Earlier, another worker had died at a chemical factory, allegedly because of inadequate safety arrangements.

Labour groups demand action

After the latest incident, labour union representatives arrived at the factory and criticised the management, alleging negligence and failure to enforce required workplace safety measures. They said safety rules were regularly being ignored and workers in the industrial estate were being exposed to dangerous conditions.

Union representatives also claimed that several accidents had occurred earlier at the factory, but no effective steps were taken to ensure compliance with labour safety laws. They called on the Labour Department, occupational safety authorities and police to carry out a detailed inquiry and initiate legal proceedings against those found responsible.

The workers further demanded that a criminal case be registered against the factory management if negligence is established in the investigation.

Factory units sealed after worker's death

The Labour Department later sealed the main processing units of Qartas Paper Mills in Hattar Industrial Estate following the worker's death. Labour representatives described it as the first such step in the history of Hattar Industrial Estate. The relevant official visited the factory in person and ordered the sealing of the production units until further investigation is completed.

Labour representatives said a formal First Information Report related to the death would be registered by the deceased worker's family. Insaf Labour Wing provincial general secretary Tahir Amin said labour organisations would continue supporting the bereaved family until justice is served. He also said efforts would be made to obtain financial assistance for the family from the factory management and the provincial government. Amin added that the decision to seal the factory's main processing units had been criticised in some quarters.

Quarry worker also killed in Ghazi

In a separate incident in the Ghazi area, a young labourer died after being buried under a heap of sand at a quarry. The deceased was identified as Muhammad Ibrahim of Mohallah Shah Baba, Golra, Attock. He was working as a helper with a loader when the accident occurred.

Police and rescue personnel shifted the body to hospital, where legal formalities were completed before it was handed over to the family for burial. Police registered a case and started an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.