A 17-year-old boy fell head-first into a slicing machine at a construction company site in Szeged, after which the machine pulled him in. Paramedics arriving at the scene were unable to save his life. Police are still investigating the tragedy, which took place in mid-July, while further details have emerged about the precise sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Head-first into machine
The tragic case happened on July 16 at the site of a construction firm in Szeged. The 17-year-old was doing summer student work there through a contract partner. As we reported at the time, he was pulled into a slicing machine used in the construction industry and died as a result of the accident. The machine was used to cut and package insulation boards.
Telex, in an article written by a Szegeder journalist, reported that the young man fell head-first into the slicing machine, after which the machine pulled him in. The emergency services called to the scene were unable to save him. The Csongrád-Csanád County Police Headquarters confirmed that they are investigating the case on suspicion of negligent endangerment causing death in the course of work, and experts have also been brought in.
Under-18 workers are especially protected by law
Hungarian law gives student workers under the age of 18 enhanced protection. Minors may work in industrial settings, but only if the work does not pose harmful consequences given their physical condition, development and state of health.
Their daily working time may be no more than eight hours, they cannot be employed on overtime, and they are entitled to longer rest periods. During the risk assessment, employers must also examine separately whether the workplace, work equipment or technology poses an increased danger to a minor. If so, they must also consider whether the role can be performed at all by a worker under 18.
Safety training is not enough
Labour lawyer Dr Alex Ember told the Szegeder journalist that in such work arrangements the host company usually bears the greater labour-law and especially occupational-safety responsibility, since it organises the work, provides the conditions and supervises the workers. In the Szeged case, however, only the conclusion of the investigation will determine whether any omission or irregularity took place.
Occupational safety training is compulsory for minors too, but on its own it does not guarantee safety. Younger and student workers typically have less experience, so they may need closer supervision. Dangerous work should be carried out by properly trained employees, and in some cases a person responsible for directing the work must also be appointed.
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The Hungarian Trade Union Confederation says serious workplace accidents are often caused by several factors at once: for example, training that is not sufficiently practical, inadequate supervision of inexperienced workers, time pressure or incomplete risk assessment. It can be particularly dangerous if a young worker is asked to carry out a task requiring greater experience without proper oversight.
Company promises tighter safety
The union says many workplace accidents could be prevented if existing rules were applied consistently. It believes a stronger occupational safety authority, more practical training, greater mentoring for minors and stricter risk assessment are needed.
Bodrogi Bau Kft., the company involved, declined to comment in detail because the investigation is ongoing. It did say, however, that it will do even more in future to prevent workplace accidents, and that its management remains in contact with the deceased boy’s relatives.
The police investigation is still under way, so it is not yet known exactly what led to the death of the 17-year-old student worker, or who will ultimately be held responsible for the tragedy.
