Worker survives digger bucket fall
Media Release
30 November 2010
An Auckland worker is lucky to be alive after a digger bucket fell onto him, according to the Department of Labour.
The Department of Labour charged Builders Corner Limited following the accident on 3 November 2009 in Orakei when the bucket came off the digger, striking the employee and leaving him with serious leg injuries and head injuries.
At the Auckland District Court today, Builders Corner was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay reparations of $17,500 for failing to ensure employees were safe when using its machinery.
The court heard that the employee was unloading a digger and bucket attachment at a building site when the accident happened. The bucket was not compatible with the digger, and failed to release properly, so the operator assumed the switch wasn’t working and didn’t relock it. A short time later, the bucket fell from the digger, hitting the employee and seriously injuring him.
Builders Corner Limited failed to identify and control the hazard posed by incompatible equipment, exposing one of its workers to an unacceptable risk, says Department of Labour Auckland Central Service Manager, Claire Morris.
“It’s crucial that employers ensure their equipment is compatible with other parts of the machinery, or in this case, the digger. Otherwise their employees risk serious injury or even death,” Ms Morris says.
ENDS
Note to Editor
- Builders Corner 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.
ENDS
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.
