Media Release

26 November 2009

The Department of Labour is urging crane operators to review their health and safety practices after the sentencing of a New Plymouth company following a fatal accident in 2008.

Allan Robert Peacock died on 17 November 2008 after he was struck in the head by a metal shackle attached to a lifting strop. Mr Peacock’s crane was attempting to lift a 10.5-tonne load when the slings snapped. The maximum lifting capacity of the Hi-Ab (a crane unit on the back of a truck) in the configuration it was set up at the time of the accident was just five tonnes.

Ian Roebuck Crane Hire Ltd has been fined a total of $105,500 in the New Plymouth District Court and ordered to pay $50,000 in reparation after pleading guilty to one charge under section 6 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of Mr Peacock while at work; and to a second charge under section 13 of the Act of failing to ensure Mr Peacock was adequately trained and supervised in the safe use of the crane.

Company director Ian Roebuck was convicted and discharged after pleading guilty to one charge under sections 6 and 56 of the Act.

Labour Department workplace services acting manager Jo-Ann Pugh says Mr Peacock’s death could have been avoided had basic health and safety practices been observed.

“At the time of the accident that caused Mr Peacock’s death the company did not have an operating manual for the unit he was operating. This accident shows it is imperative that people who operate cranes are adequately trained in the safe use of their equipment.” 

The company also failed to ensure the crane was fitted with a safe load chart to help Mr Peacock identify safe loads for the crane. Ms Pugh said crane companies should ensure employees have access to manuals and Safe Load Charts which are essential to the safe performance of their jobs.

Ms Pugh said the company also failed to ensure the crane’s slings were maintained in a safe condition. “They were frayed, had nicks on them, were not certified, showed signs of excessive wear and were not clearly marked with their Safe Working Load (3 tonnes).

“This accident also serves as a reminder that employers need to ensure equipment is regularly inspected. If safety deficiencies are identified the crane unit should be removed from service until they are fixed.”

The company also failed to ensure Mr Peacock was adequately trained to safely operate the crane. “This accident shows it is imperative that people who operate cranes are adequately trained in the safe use of such equipment.”

The Department of Labour has been working closely with the industry in reviewing the Approved Code of Practice for Cranes to help ensure it is kept up to date and in line with advances in technology and industry practice.

Ms Pugh says the New Plymouth branch of the Department of Labour is to undertake a survey of Hi-Abs in the Taranaki region with the aim of addressing the safety concerns raised by this case.

 

ENDS