Prosecutions show no tolerance of workplace deaths

Tuesday 27 April 1999

The Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour (OSH) joins with other New Zealanders on Workers’ Memorial Day (Wednesday 28 April) in remembering all those killed in workplace accidents in this country.

As the organisation responsible for investigating accidents on the job, OSH, and its frontline inspectors in particular, know only too well the heartbreak suffered by the families, and the huge social and economic costs of such deaths.

In the last financial year to June 30 1998, 56 workers lost their lives at work. With three quarters of the current financial year completed (i.e. to the end of March 1999), the numbers killed while at work stands at 38, some improvement over the 44 killed at the same time last year.

"While this trend is encouraging, OSH is continuing to stand firm and prosecute severely those companies that break the Health and Safety in Employment Act," said Lisa-Marie Richan OSH spokesperson.

Anchor Products was sentenced to a $35,000 fine this month for failing to ensure the safety of an employee, Robert Watson, killed after being trapped in machinery at the Te Awamutu Anchor Products factory in 1997. All the money was paid to the family.

Other prosecutions in the last six weeks include Fletcher Challenge, fined $35,000 after the death of an employee at its Mangere factory and David Spencer Ltd fined $25,000 after the death of an employee in Wellington.

Since July 1 1998, OSH has undertaken 117 individual charges for breaches of the HSE Act resulting in $650,175 in fines.

"While OSH recognises money can never replace a human life, OSH is utilising its powers under the HSE Act to hit the companies where it hurts, in their pocket."

Such companies will be further financially penalised with the introduction of workplace insurance where premiums will reflect a company’s health and safety record.