Carter Holt Harvey fined $6,000 for safety breach

Wednesday 10 October 2001

Carter Holt Harvey Wood Products was today fined $6,000 in the Nelson District Court.

The Occupational Safety and Health Service (OSH) prosecuted the company after a worker was seriously injured earlier this year when he fell six to seven metres from an elevated conveyor onto a concrete pad.

A jackhammer became stuck in the conveyor, and while wrestling it free, the worker overbalanced and fell to the ground sustaining multiple injuries to the left-hand side of his body. The $6,000 was awarded to the worker.

"In sentencing, Judge Walker said the accident was a readily identifiable hazard and no-one should have been allowed to work at such a height without protection," said Brian Stratford, OSH Service Manager, Nelson.

"Our investigation found the company had periodically checked progress on the job, but had not identified the risk of falling once the workers needed to move onto the section of conveyor outside the building.

"The worker had not been warned of the risk of falling and had not been made aware of the availability of fall arrest equipment.

"Falls from heights is a major killer and cause of serious injuries in workplaces, particularly in the building and construction industry.

"OSH has successfully worked with the construction industry to almost eliminate deaths from falls.

"Employers in all industries need to be aware that there is a legal duty to ensure that anyone who risks a fall of more than three metres is aware of the risks and provided with the means to prevent a fall.

"All too often these requirements are overlooked during infrequent maintenance activities."