Accident at work in Carrara, death by crushing by marble slabs

A 44-year-old worker was killed after being crushed by marble slabs during an accident at a quarry in Carrara, Italy, early Monday morning. The incident occurred at the Santucci company located on Via Provinciale Avenza Massa. Emergency services arrived shortly after the incident was reported at 8:18 a.m., but the man, identified as Aldo Gullotti, was pronounced dead upon arrival. Gullotti, who hailed from Milazzo in Sicily, had worked in the marble industry for many years and was known as an experienced worker. He leaves behind a 10-year-old son. The accident reportedly happened during routine operations at the facility. According to local reports, Gullotti was crushed under heavy marble slabs while performing his duties. Emergency responders including an ambulance, a nurse unit, and public assistance vehicles from Carrara rushed to the scene alongside law enforcement and occupational safety officials from the ASL Toscana Nord Ovest. These officials have begun investigations into the incident to determine the exact sequence of events and assess whether safety regulations were followed. Carrara's mayor, Serena Arrighi, expressed her condolences to Gullotti’s family and the broader community following the tragedy. She visited the site of the incident and described the event as deeply shocking, emphasizing its impact on the city and the entire workforce in the region. Arrighi stated that the administration stands with the victim's family and colleagues, acknowledging the profound loss suffered by the community. In response to the death, labor unions have announced plans for an eight-hour strike across the Apuan Alps marble district starting the following day. The strike has been called jointly by Feneal Uil, Filca Cisl, and Fillea Cgil of Lucca and Massa Carrara. The unions cited the increasing frequency of serious workplace injuries in the sector as a reason for their action. They argue that despite previous improvements, conditions have deteriorated again, with workers often handling multiple tasks simultaneously without adequate precautions and production rates remaining excessively high. The unions highlighted concerns over the current working conditions, noting that employees frequently face situations requiring them to perform multiple roles at once without sufficient attention to safety. They also pointed out that environmental factors such as changing weather conditions place additional strain on workers. The unions are calling for an immediate meeting involving employers, workers, union representatives, institutions, and health authorities to address these issues urgently. The investigation into the incident will focus on determining the specific circumstances that led to the fatal accident. Occupational safety officers are examining whether proper protocols were adhered to and whether there were any lapses in safety measures. The findings of this inquiry could lead to changes in operational procedures within the industry. Meanwhile, the planned strike aims to draw attention to ongoing safety concerns and push for improved conditions in the marble sector.