Department of labour warns of dangers of working at heights
Media Release
27 October 2010
A Christchurch company has been sentenced after one of its workers was seriously injured when the telephone pole he was working on broke due to below ground rot.
At the Christchurch District court today Independent Line Services Limited was fined $30,000 for its role in the accident in Governors Bay on 7 April 2009.
The case highlights the dangers of working at heights and the importance of checking for defects in these types of poles says the Department of Labour.
The pole broke as the employee was climbing down. He jumped approximately five metres to avoid the falling pole and ladder, fracturing his pelvis and injuring his left ankle.
The employee was seriously injured and was extremely lucky to survive a fall from such a height says Department of Labour Christchurch Service Manager, Margaret Radford.
“Our investigation revealed that while procedures were in place, they weren’t followed, and the employee was not properly supervised. If Electricity Industry Standards were followed, the accident would probably not have happened,” Ms Radford says.
“The pole broke below the ground. Proper testing would have revealed the existence of rot in the pole. Following the earthquake and the continuing aftershocks, it’s even more important that companies properly test these poles above and below ground.
“Working at heights is a hazardous activity and the risks need to be carefully managed.”
ENDS
Note to Editor
- Independent Line Services Limited was convicted on one charge under Section 6 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
- Section 6 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 states: Every employer shall take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees while at work; and in particular shall take all practicable steps to—
- (a) provide and maintain for employees a safe working environment; and
- (b) provide and maintain for employees while they are at work facilities for their safety and health; and
- (c) ensure that plant used by any employee at work is so arranged, designed, made, and maintained that it is safe for the employee to use; and
- (d) ensure that while at work employees are not exposed to hazards arising out of the arrangement, disposal, manipulation, organisation, processing, storage, transport, working, or use of things—
- (i) in their place of work; or
- (ii) near their place of work and under the employer's control; and
- (e) develop procedures for dealing with emergencies that may arise while employees are at work.
- The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 is available online: http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1992/0096/latest/DLM278829.html
- 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.
