Company to pay $33,000 after worker dies

Friday 07 March 2003

Triple R Engineering Limited was sentenced to pay $33,000 in the Palmerston North District Court today after being prosecuted by the Occupational Safety and Health Service (OSH).

The company was prosecuted after a worker was severely burnt in a workplace explosion and died five weeks later as a result of his injuries.

$20,000 went to the victim's family.

“The accident happened when the worker was conducting welding work on a dual-compartment fuel tank which had contained diesel and petrol,” said Linda Murphy, OSH Service Manager, Manawatu - Whanganui region.

“While the victim was carrying out the welding the tank exploded causing him fatal injuries.

“The company failed to identify the hazards involved in doing this work and did not have proper safety procedures in place to prevent this accident happening.

“These failures by the employer meant that the victim welded the tank without it being properly checked to ensure that it was safe to work on.”

Abrasive Blast Cleaning Ltd was also prosecuted last year in relation to this accident. They pleaded guilty to four charges and were sentenced to pay $27,500 last year.

“Companies must ensure that workplace hazards are identified and controlled correctly, and that their safety systems effectively protect all employees. Everyone has the right to go to work and be safe, ”said Ms Murphy.