Published: 5 Apr 2010
Nephew of the late Nick Fanos plea to the PM
SPIRO TZOUGANATOS
Barrister at Law
Elizabeth Street Chambers
Level 16, 179 Elizabeth Street
Sydney NSW 2000
5 April 2010
The Honourable
The Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd MP
Parliament House,
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Prime Minister,
Re: The Late Nick Fanos; National Stevedoring Safety Taskforce
At around 7.30 pm on Sunday March 28 my 49 year old uncle Nick Fanos, was killed while loading containers onto a ship at Port Botany in Sydney. Nick was crushed between containers. His wife, two children, the rest of our family and Nick's work mates are in shock.
We now await the outcome of investigations into my uncle's death including the findings of the Coroner.
However, in a modern workplace, the incident that killed my uncle should not happen. There should be a code of practice and mechanisms in place that make this horrific situation practically impossible. While it is too late for my uncle, the safety of other dock workers needs to addressed as a matter of urgency. I am aware of other recent fatalities of dock workers during the course of their work on the waterfront.
On behalf of our family and dock workers across our country I respectfully ask that you establish a National Stevedoring Safety Taskforce, leading to the earliest introduction of a National Stevedoring Safety Code of Practice.
I know there are priorities in the Government's workload especially in these trying economic times but surely there is nothing more important than the life, safety and welfare of workers and working families.
I trust you will give my request your urgent consideration.
Yours sincerely
Spiro Tzouganatos
CC: Paddy Crumlin, National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia
