The Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd (FSC) reported a workplace incident at the Lautoka Mill yesterday, where an employee sustained injuries while clearing bagasse from a conveyor belt. The identity of the employee remains undisclosed, but he received prompt medical care and is currently being treated at Lautoka Hospital.
FSC CEO Bhan Singh expressed his concern, stating, “Our thoughts are with the employee and his family.” He highlighted the coordinated efforts of the emergency and mill teams, who acted quickly to dismantle the conveyor belt system to facilitate a safe rescue. Singh praised their “safety-first approach,” which ensured an efficient response to the incident.
As a precaution, milling operations at Lautoka Mill have been temporarily suspended while repairs to the conveyor system are underway, with an expected completion time of about 36 hours. Consequently, all harvesting activities have also been put on hold until the mill is fully operational again.
This incident echoes previous operational challenges faced at the Lautoka Mill, including a recent boiler leak and other mechanical issues that have prompted discussions about safety protocols within the organization. Historically, the company has been under scrutiny for its responses to mechanical failures and their impacts on production. However, FSC has been investing significantly to improve maintenance protocols and equipment, aiming to enhance overall performance and minimize disruptions.
The swift action taken in this recent incident is reflective of FSC’s commitment to maintaining safety standards and operational resilience. There is cautious optimism that these challenges can lead to improvements in safety measures, benefiting not only the employees but also the community reliant on the sugar production sector in Fiji. As repairs commence and safety protocols are reviewed, the hope is that this will bring about better operational efficiencies in the future.
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