Media Releases
Skylight fall could have been prevented
13 February 2006
An Ashburton seed processing company has been ordered to pay $60,000 to the widow of a maintenance worker killed when he fell 6.5m through a skylight last August.
South Island Seed Dressing and Storage Co Ltd today pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the man’s safety. In addition to the reparation, the company was fined $5000.
The victim and another man had been working on the factory roof installing ducting when he fell through a corrugated plastic skylight to the factory floor. He died at the scene.
Department of Labour chief advisor, health and safety Mike Cosman said plastic skylights were known to be brittle, and not able to take the weight of a man.
“Sadly the skylights in this case were indistinguishable from the rest of the roof, due to a build-up of dust from inside the factory. The company owners were aware of this and this problem had even been discussed before the men ascended. Despite this, no hazard management controls or fall protections were considered.”
Mr Cosman said there were numerous ways the company could have protected the men’s safety. The skylight could have been covered with safety mesh or plywood before the work started, or fenced off from the workers on the roof. The men could also have worn safety harnesses.
“Had the company considered these steps, this man would still be with us today.”
The employer of the other man working on the roof, SPM Ltd, was charged for putting its worker at the same risk of a fall. It was fined $7500 today.
The Department is currently prosecuting a further two companies for similar
fatalities involving skylights or brittle roofing.
ENDS
