A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) artisan suffered a serious head injury after a piece of timber struck him and became lodged in his forehead, CITE learnt.
The incident occurred at the NRZ mechanical workshops in Raylton on Wednesday morning.
The mishap was reported by distraught sources shortly after it occurred, saying an ambulance had been called for him.
“The worker has been struck by a plank, it’s lodged in his forehead. The ambulance has come to fetch him,” sources said.
Reached for comment, NRZ Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations Manager, Andrew Kunambura, confirmed the incident.
He identified the worker as a Senior Wood Machinist who was cutting the wood for a student taking a test.
“We can confirm a work place injury involving a Senior Wood Machinist which occurred on Wednesday 7 December 2022,” he said.
“This happened when he was planking a piece of timber which flew back at him from the powerful circular saw machine he was using.”
According to Kunambura, the wood machinist was operating the machine when the piece of wood struck him.
“This resulted in a splinter hitting him on the forehead and injuring him. He was preparing it for a student undergoing a trade test,” said the railway spokesperson.
The Senior Wood Machinist is currently admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital where he is receiving treatment.
“He is in a stable condition,” said Kunambura.
“We wish him a speedy recovery.”
The artisan’s forehead has apparently been stitched up after the piece of wood was removed, said the sources.
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