Company fined $17,500 after worker crushed to death

Wednesday 18th December 2002

NZL Group Ltd was sentenced to pay a fine of $17,500 in the Tauranga District Court yesterday after a worker was killed earlier this year at the Port of Tauranga.

The worker was a 58-year-old yard foreman with thirty years experience at the Port.

“This was a horrific accident which has greatly affected fellow workers and the family of the victim,” said Faye Frelan, Service Manager, OSH Western Bay of Plenty.

“The accident occurred when a forklift carrying a container struck an employee and he was crushed beneath the front wheels of the forklift.

“The forklift was moving forwards carrying a container and the driver was unable to see the victim in front of him.

“The company had health and safety systems in place but failed to identify the practice of driving a forklift where the load obscured the view forwards as a hazard.

“New Zealanders being harmed and killed at work is simply unacceptable.

“Employers, principals and those in control of workplaces need to take a systematic approach to identifying workplace hazards and put systems in place to protect workers. These systems need to be constantly monitored, reviewed and updated to ensure they are effective."