Company fined $10,000 after worker injured

Wednesday 8 May 2002

A Taranaki company has been prosecuted by the Occupational Safety and Health Service (OSH) after a worker suffered a broken pelvis and three cracked ribs following a workplace accident.

Kiwi Dairy Products Ltd was fined $10,000 after failing to ensure an employee was not harmed whilst at work. The entire fine went to the victim.

“The accident occurred when the worker was taking samples in a ceiling space at the Hawera site. Access to and within the area was sub-standard. The victim fell 2.7 meters to the floor” said Patrick Cashmore, Service Manager, OSH Taranaki.

“Falls from heights are a significant hazard in many workplaces.

“In this case the company should have taken practicable steps to ensure the safety of the employee by identifying workplace hazards. In this case although a hazard identification exercise had been undertaken, this particular hazard was overlooked.

“To the company’s credit since the accident a significant focus on plant and process has been undertaken.

“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.”