By Ben Talintyre For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 01:20 EST, 11 July 2023 | Updated: 01:37 EST, 11 July 2023 Rotary Drying Machine
Woolworths has banned the machine that resulted in the death of warehouse worker Basel 'Baz' Brikha.
The supermarket giant has made a nationwide change to its distribution centres after the death of the man described affectionately as 'a gentle giant' in Minchinbury, western Sydney on June 27.
Mr Brikha was working in the western Sydney warehouse when he was struck by dozens of falling pallets and suffered critical head injuries. He was rushed to Westmead Hospital, but later died.
Following his death union workers called for a suspension in the use of pallet distributors while their safety is investigated.
A spokesperson for Primary Connect - Woolworths' supply-chain arm - told Daily Mail Australia the pallet dispensers are no longer in use by the company across Australia.
Woolworths have put the machinery that resulted in the death of a beloved worker, pallet distributors (pictured), out of use in distribution centres across the country
Basel Brikha (pictured) was working in the western Sydney warehouse when he was struck by dozens of falling pallets and suffered critical head injuries. He was rushed to Westmead Hospital, but later died
'We're continuing to cooperate with Safe Work NSW on their investigation,' a Primary Connect spokesperson said.
'The pallet dispenser in question is not in use. In other DCs, pallet dispensers of the same model are currently not in use.'
Pallet dispensers are machines designed to automatically load, store, and dispense pallets, which - depending on size - can handle between 20 to 50 pallets at a time.
A spokesperson for Primary Connect previously told Daily Mail Australia the company was 'deeply saddened' by Mr Brikha's death.
'Our thoughts and condolences are with our team member’s friends and family at this difficult time and we are currently supporting the family and our two team members who were also injured in the incident,' the spokesperson said.
'We are cooperating with NSW Police and SafeWork NSW to investigate the incident and we will also be undertaking our own investigation.'
The incident is still under investigation by SafeWork NSW.
Pallet dispensers are machines designed to automatically load, store, and dispense pallets, which - depending on size - can handle between 20 to 50 pallets at a time
Nine days after his passing, friends and family paid tribute to the 37-year-old who was so loved that he was the best man at several friends' weddings and was later asked to be the godfather to three kids.
'Basel's family know him as ''our gentle giant'' and his friends know him as the one they could call upon, and he would always say "yes",' the priest said at Mr Brikha's funeral.
'He always had the energy to help anyone in need - family, friends, or total strangers.'
Born in Iraq in the 1980s, Mr Brikha was the youngest of nine children, with four older brothers and four older sisters.
When he was a child, the family moved to Jordan for a year before relocating to New Zealand, where Mr Brikha spent much of his youth.
He moved to Sydney in 2015, where he joined his siblings, before starting work at the Woolworths warehouse three years ago.
The 37-year-old was so loved that he was the best man at several friends' weddings and was later asked to be the godfather to three kids
The priest said Mr Brikha's 'untimely departure' had devastated his enormous social network.
'Baz was a remarkable individual who touched the lives of many around him,' the priest said.
'His vibrant spirit, compassion and physical life brought joy to those fortunate enough to know him. He possessed a kindness and a smile that could brighten even the darkest of days.
'We feel profound pain in our hearts.
'But we feel solace in coming together as a community.'
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