Machinery a no-go area for workers under 15

14 September 2006

A Palmerston North manufacturing company has been fined $9000 after a 14-year old boy was injured using a piece of machinery.

Lanwood Industries Ltd was yesterday convicted of two charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act. The Department of Labour prosecuted the company after the boy, employed during the school holidays in February this year, had his wrist crushed by an unguarded roofing profiler. It was fined a total of $9000 and ordered to pay $1000 reparation to the boy.

Under the HSE Regulations 1995, no employee under the age of 15 is allowed to work in the manufacturing areas of a factory.

Department acting health and safety service manager for Manawatu-Wanganui Marcus Ingley said the boy had been employed by Lanwood Industries Ltd as a casual labourer. Several weeks into the job, he was working on a roofing profiler when the unguarded machine activated suddenly and crushed his right hand. He was taken to hospital and pins were inserted into his wrist.

Mr Ingley said the company, which had since guarded the machine, pleaded guilty to charges of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the boy’s safety at work and failing to ensure that he did not work with any machinery.

The conviction was a reminder to all businesses employing students that they needed to consider their age and experience when assigning work activities, and be mindful of any particular workplace hazards, he said.

“It’s great that students are able to get work experience and earn some money during the holidays, but employers can’t just let them loose in their factory or workshop and hope for the best.

“As any parent of teenagers will tell you, children under 15 don’t often think of the consequences of their actions nor have the emotional or physical maturity to carry out some tasks. Best to let them ‘drive’ the office computer, rather than the warehouse forklift.”

To the journalist: please note that health and safety services formerly referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred to as the Department of Labour.