Properly guarded machines save lives and prevent injuries
Media Release
30 November 2010
Proper machine guarding could have saved the life of a worker killed when he was dragged into a pulp machine according to the Department of Labour.
In December last year, a worker at Carter Holt Harvey Limited’s Pulp and Paper Mill in Kawerau, died when he was dragged into a large heavy duty pulp press. The worker, Mr Robert Watene Beazley Coromandel died from crush injuries to the chest.
At the Whakatane District Court today, Carter Holt Harvey was fined $47,500.
The Department of Labour’s Waikato/Eastern Regional Manager, Ona De Rooy says this accident could have been prevented had the machine been properly guarded.
“Machine guarding standards have been in place for more than a century but people still ignore it or forget about it. It is one of the most basic ways to ensure people don’t get hurt or lose their lives at work,” Ms De Rooy says.
“Unsafe machinery is the cause of a high number of serious harm and fatal injuries in the workplace. Employers have to give top priority to safety for machine users.
“Because of the high number of serious harm and fatal injuries cased by unsafe machinery, the Department of Labour has a three-year machine guarding project underway to improve this aspect of workplace health and safety. This case involving Carter Holt Harvey is a good reminder of the importance of adequate machine guarding. Employers have to take all practicable steps to make sure that their machinery is properly guarded and workers are trained in the safe operation.”
ENDS
Note to Editor
- No reparation was awarded by the Court because the company had already paid $60,000 to the family of the victim.
- Carter Holt Harvey 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.
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.
