Prosecution highlights elevator safety

Friday 18 May 2001

A recent prosecution in Auckland by the Occupational Safety and Health Service (OSH) has highlighted the need for greater safety in the lift industry.

Kone Elevators PTY Ltd was fined $12,000 this month after an employee, who was fixing a lift suffered a fractured right leg, broken tailbone, fractured vertebrae and a compressed spine when he fell 4.5 floors.

The company was fined for failing to ensure the safety of an employee. The court commented that the company did have a good safety record but that they placed too much reliance on employees following the procedures.

"OSH welcomed this sentence as it serves as a valuable reminder that accidents can be prevented with the correct training and planning," said John Forrest, Service Manager, OSH Auckland.

Mr Forrest said companies needed to view health and safety not simply as a cost, but rather as an investment in the future health and profitability of their company.

"Health and safety should be an integral part of any business.

"Employers must take a systematic approach to identifying workplace hazards and put systems in place to protect workers. These systems need to be constantly reviewed and updated.

"Workplace accidents cost New Zealand $4 billion a year, most of it falls on businesses. By taking health and safety seriously, businesses can make considerable savings."