Don Lajoie
Windsor Star
A 45-year-old female worker was killed after a 5,000-pound steel coil rolled over her Monday morning at Prince Metal Products, a Ministry of Labour spokeswoman said Monday.
The woman has been identified as Cindy Libby, the plant's "long-time" union steward for Teamsters Local 880 and "an awesome person."
Local 880 representative Dan DiGiovanni said Cindy Libby, who died in hospital after being rushed to Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital with massive injuries, had been involved in union activities and committee work at the plant for about 20 years.
"She is a fantastic lady," said DiGiovanni. "As big a heart as anyone you'll find. She was very involved and everyone who knew her here is devastated. She was very well known. A lot of people are very upset."
He said staff and union officials at the plant, which has 80 workers, will be grieving the loss, both as a friend and leader.
Ministry spokeswoman Belinda Sutton said the incident occurred about 7:20 a.m. Monday at the factory, located at 945 Prince Road in Windsor.
The worker was crushed by a bundle of steel weighing about 5,000 pounds, and died.
Sutton said the ministry investigation is continuing. No other information was available.
Windsor Fire Capt. Richard Dennis said fire rescue workers were dispatched to the scene at about 7:30 a.m. after the industrial accident was reported.
He said fire crews, with the use of an industrial crane, lifted the load of steel off of the woman. Firefighters administered CPR and first aid until ambulance crews arrived shortly after.
The company could not be reached for comment.
There had been a similar accident at the factory in 1991, when a 500-pound steel roll severely injured a worker.
© The Windsor Star 2007
