Firestone fined $37,500 after worker’s death

Thursday 20 December 2001

The Occupational Safety and Health Service (OSH) has welcomed today’s sentencing of the Bridgestone Firestone company in Christchurch.

Firestone were sentenced to pay $37,500 for failing to provide a safe place of work for Adam Hopkins, a Firestone worker who was killed in February this year after becoming trapped in machinery.

$25,000 of the fine went to the family of Adam Hopkins.

"This was a horrific accident which left a man dead and his family and friends devastated," said Tony Higgison, Acting Service Manager, OSH, Canterbury/Westcoast Region.

"While no amount of money can replace a life lost, this sentencing sends a message to all employers of the financial consequences of ignoring health and safety.

"In this case the company identified a hazard on their machinery, but did not eliminate or isolate it. They also had problems with the emergency system, which compounded the emergency rather than eliminating further harm.

Mr Higgison said companies needed to view health and safety not simply as a cost, but rather as an investment in the future health and profitability of their company.

"Health and safety should be an integral part of any business. Employers must take a systematic approach to identifying workplace hazards and put systems in place to protect workers. These systems need to be constantly reviewed and updated."