His name was Raphaël Rapha and he died on the job. On April 25, 2022, this father joined the long list of all those who, every year, lose their lives while practicing or learning their profession. It is to put a face “behind these figures” that his wife Théodora-Danielle Rapha decided to speak. But “also to restore dignity” to the man with whom she shared her life for 33 years. “Raphaël was a sociable, hard-working person. He was a good husband, a friend, a great dad and a grandfather,” testifies the Concarnoise, with whom she gave birth to seven children.
During his career, Raphaël Rapha exercises many professions and does not hesitate to train to expand his skills: CAP milling, BEP mechanic, IT… In 2019, this “self-taught” is launching a new challenge by moving to more than 50 years, a BTS in industrial maintenance, at Greta in Quimper. After his internship period in a fish trading factory in Concarneau, the man obtained a permanent contract. But quickly, Raphaël deplores that his missions do not correspond to his training. “He was given tasks that had little to do with machine maintenance, even though he mastered his subject. Often, he told me that he had to make something new out of something old and that the equipment was lacking,” reports Théodora-Danielle.
The leg caught
Involved, Raphaël decides to complete his Workplace First Aid (SST) training and his Certificate of Ability to Operate in Basket Safety (CACES). However, the employee struggles to thrive and tells his wife of his desire to leave the company. But everything changed on April 25, 2022. “In the morning, before leaving for work, he told me that he would come home later than usual because he had to go to the recycling center,” remembers the mother. Raphaël will never return home. Around 11:15 a.m., the latter intervened on a rusty plate located above a polystyrene compactor. For some reason that is still unclear, he “straddles” himself above the machine and falls into the compactor. His left leg is caught. The femoral artery was severed and hemorrhage caused his death. A young colleague discovered the worker’s body shortly after. Too late.
“My world is falling apart”
Théodora-Danielle is informed at 1:30 p.m. of the death of her husband. The terrible announcement was made by the Concarneau police and a staff representative who came to his home. “There, my world is collapsing. My other half left at that time,” says the Concarnoise. Since then, it has been fighting to have the company’s responsibility recognized in this fatal accident. There are still many gray areas. “People talk to me about carelessness, but how can a simple mistake lead to someone’s death? Why would he ride on a machine he knew was dangerous? », asks Théodora-Danielle who “wants to know”.
A slipping file
On September 15, 2022, the joint investigation by the Concarneau police and the labor inspectorate was transmitted to the Quimper public prosecutor’s office. But since then, not much. Lost file, numerous reminders… The obstacles keep coming and the months pass. Last September, he was told that the Quimper court had withdrawn from the case in favor of that of Lyon. For the wife of the deceased, the incomprehension is total: “With all this, I cannot mourn. I can’t let Raphaël go. I feel like he’s always going to come back.” Exhausted, Théodora-Danielle finds the strength to continue thanks to those close to her and warns: “I will not give up even if I am out of breath.”
2023-10-12 06:00:11
#death #husband #work #Concarnoise
