Media Release

19 June 2009

An Australasian fumigation company has been fined $38,000 and ordered to pay $40,000 to a worker who was crushed by a Cover Rolling Machine that fell on him from a height of 3.5 metres.

The employee suffered a fractured lumbar vertebrae and a dislocated shoulder in the accident that occurred in Tauranga on 1 August 2008 and was in hospital for eight days. However, the seriousness of his injuries means he has not been able to work in the 10 months since the accident and will require further surgery.

Genera Ltd pleaded guilty in the Tauranga District Court to one charge under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 of failing to take all practicable steps of keeping its employee safe at work.

Department of Labour Waikato-Eastern regional manager Ona De Rooy said the accident was preventable.

Ms De Rooy said “It was reasonable that the hazards associated with cover rolling machine should have been identified. Genera had failed to have the Machine certified by an engineer as a forklift attachment as required by industry standards, had not ensured that the machine was secured to the forklift, and that there were Safe Operating Procedures including training to ensure the safety of employees”.

Genera designed the Cover Rolling Machine to increase productivity and minimise manual handling issues.  The device reduced the current level of risk to employees. However, the company had not foreseen that this change in practice presented new hazards.

The machines weigh 250kg. But when fully loaded – as when the accident took place - they can weigh up to 650kg.

“Employers need to ensure that before new machinery is introduced into workplaces that workers are properly trained in how to operate it, that hazards are identified and procedures are put in place to eliminate, isolate or minimise them.
“This accident emphasises the importance of ensuring that workplaces are safe including the training of staff, which Genera failed to do.”

 “It may sound costly and time consuming. But it is a whole less expensive than having workers suffer significant and often lifelong injuries.”

The company are working together with the Department of Labour to ensure that lessons are learned from this type of accident.

ENDS
For further information call 0274 422 141 or e-mail media@dol.govt.nz