Young Dockworker Fatally Injured, Hit By Falling Crane Cab Glass [Puerto Rosario, Argentina ~ 02 March 2017]

Posted by admin on Mar 8, 2017 in Bulletins

While facts about this particular accident are less than clear, Blueoceana Company understands that Sr. Pedro Fita, a 27 year old member of the United Union for Argentine Ports (SUPA), was fatally injured when hit by a piece of glass that fell from the windshield of a crane operating overhead. From news accounts (see attached Google translated article), it appears that the glass penetrated Sr. Fita’s hard hat causing traumatic injury to his brain. The article is unclear as to what Argentine port this accident took place at, nor if the crane was of the shoreside or shipboard variety.

Update (09 March 2017): Through the welcome assistance of a good friend in Spain, Blueoceana Company has been provided with further information that sheds much more light on this accident. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th links (see below) provide supplemental data that are instructive.

In sum, injuries were sustained by two dockers working in the hold of the M/V BBC LISBON (see photo below) on 02 March, discharging a cargo of steel rails. From what we read, a ship’s deck crane was being used for the work and during operation a glass panel (likely a windshield or another window enclosure) was unshipped from the crane’s cab… falling approximately 20 meters (65.5 feet) and striking both dockers. One of the workers (Pedro Fita, 29 years old and an expectant father) was struck on the head (the glass actually pierced his hard hat and caused massive brain trauma). He died  in hospital on 05 March. The other worker (Arnaldo Guana, 49) experienced a skull fracture, but will live.

Link to media account:   4 Argentine terminals paralyzed after death of port worker (030717)

Link to media account:   Accident in the Port- an operator died and there is labor walkout in 4 terminals (030617)

Link to media account:   4 Argentine terminals paralyzed after death of port worker (030617)

Link to media account:   Ports stop in Rosario for the death of a worker (030617)