Latest Fatality at WA BHP Facility

Source: Safety Concepts

BHP Billiton's safety record has copped a fresh blow with the seventh worker in about three years to die at its WA operations.

While the death went unreported to the share market, a media statement said a "significant incident has occurred at approximately 04:45 this morning" on the 8th July 2011.

"This incident has resulted in a fatality," it said.

The victim was a 27-year-old maintenance contractor at the Finucane iron ore loader who died when a crane collapsed on to his platform, prompting rail and port operations at Port Hedland to be immediately suspended.

The inauspicious start to the new financial year for BHP follows one death last year

The year before, five workers died in eight months while working for the big Australian.

BHP spokeswoman Kelly Quirke said "any death was one death too many".

"The safety of our employees and contractors is the most important thing to our business," she said.

CFMEU spokesman Rob Mitchell said the death was "a tragedy".

"BHP doesn't have a great track record for safety," he said.

"The safety of our employees and contractors is the most important thing to our business," she said.

CFMEU spokesman Rob Mitchell said the death was "a tragedy".

"BHP doesn't have a great track record for safety," he said.

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