Victoria Police believe a Lavington father was “crushed between two steel staircases” at a horrific industrial accident on Thursday.

Emergency services including Wodonga SES and firefighters were called to SJ and TA Structural in Kane Road just after 7am.

The worker, 33, was found dead underneath steel and paramedics could not approach as the structure was unstable.

The Border Mail understands the Lavington father and a colleague were using a crane to stack steel when the accident occurred.

A Victoria Police spokesman said it was believed the man had been “crushed between two steel staircases”.

SJ and TA Structural is a family-owned company that has operated since 1994.

Wodonga Detective Sergeant Graeme Simpfendorfer said a police chaplain was called to the scene to offer support to the tight-knit group of employees.

“It’s a small business – they’re all very close and obviously everyone is devastated,” he said.

“They are getting the appropriate services for counselling.”

A WorkSafe spokeswoman said investigators would examine how the man was killed.

The police spokesman said a report was being prepared for the coroner.

“WorkSafe is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death,” he said.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Site manager Rod Barton declined to comment when contacted.

Earlier

A 33-year-old Lavington man has been killed in a workplace accident in Wodonga.

Emergency services were called to fabrication and structural steel company SJ and TA Structural on Kane Road about 7.15am on Thursday.

A man was found dead underneath steel and paramedics could not approach the scene, as the structure was unstable.

Wodonga detectives and uniform police are investigating and a police chaplain is at the business, offering counselling to staff members.

The man’s family has been notified.

A spokeswoman confirmed the matter was being handled by WorkSafe.

“We’re aware of the incident and are investigating,” she said.

More to come.