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Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) Stories - Page 4

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Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) stories

Eye injury a result of company’s safety oversights
Risk & Compliance

Eye injury a result of company’s safety oversights

A Northland orchard worker was left with permanent vision damage after a wire snapped, exposing failures in training, supervision and PPE use.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 5th Mar 2023
Unsupervised newbie suffers brain injury
Risk & Compliance

Unsupervised newbie suffers brain injury

A Tauranga skip-bin firm has been fined NZD $250,000 after a new worker was crushed and left with life-changing brain injuries.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Thu, 23rd Feb 2023
Asbestos oversight a dangerous and expensive mishap
Risk & Compliance

Asbestos oversight a dangerous and expensive mishap

A Christchurch flooring job ended in court after asbestos-tainted vinyl was handled unsafely, triggering fines and fresh warnings.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 19th Feb 2023
Qualifications on the way for NZ road workers
Education, Learning & Training

Qualifications on the way for NZ road workers

Road workers could soon gain formal recognition, as a new credential framework links temporary traffic control training to NZQF qualifications.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 15th Jan 2023
Death a reminder to keep an eye on field staff
Risk & Compliance

Death a reminder to keep an eye on field staff

WorkSafe says inadequate training and oversight left a forestry technician fatally exposed to a harvester head repair in northern Hawke’s Bay.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Thu, 12th Jan 2023
Another fine for unsafe machinery injury
Risk & Compliance

Another fine for unsafe machinery injury

A Northland steel worker lost part of a finger after his hand slipped into an unguarded press brake, prompting a USD $220,000 fine.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Fri, 2nd Dec 2022
Company prosecuted for subcontractor’s death
Risk & Compliance

Company prosecuted for subcontractor’s death

WorkSafe says the case underlines lead contractors’ duty to protect subcontractors after a roofer fell 4.5 metres in Sydenham.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Mon, 28th Nov 2022
Business fined after modified machine kills worker
Law

Business fined after modified machine kills worker

WorkSafe says the case highlights how moving or copying machinery without fresh checks can expose workers to fatal crushing hazards.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 14th Nov 2022
The explosive risks working with heat-pumps, air-cons & fridges
Risk & Compliance

The explosive risks working with heat-pumps, air-cons & fridges

Businesses retrofitting flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants into existing cooling systems face a heightened fire and explosion risk, WorkSafe says.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Thu, 10th Nov 2022
Sentencing sends a message to installers
Risk & Compliance

Sentencing sends a message to installers

A $100,000 fine and $43,000 reparation follow a roof-fall that left an Auckland worker with multiple fractures and a year-long recovery.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 6th Nov 2022
Company deemed responsible for ‘white out’ road fatality
Law

Company deemed responsible for ‘white out’ road fatality

A Bay of Plenty lime spreader has been fined after dust blown on to a motorway sparked a fatal multi-vehicle crash and killed Susan Walmsley.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 12th Sep 2022
Underage worker falls through skylight
Risk & Compliance

Underage worker falls through skylight

A Napier roofing firm has been fined and ordered to pay reparations after a 14-year-old worker fell eight metres through a skylight.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Wed, 7th Sep 2022
Fine of $350k after string of health & safety failures
Risk & Compliance

Fine of $350k after string of health & safety failures

Children were left at risk of death or serious injury when an inflatable slide collapsed, prompting a GBP £350,000 fine in Waihi.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 28th Aug 2022
Decoupled trailer fatality results in $50k fine
Risk & Compliance

Decoupled trailer fatality results in $50k fine

WorkSafe says worn towing gear and expired certification let a trailer decouple on a Northland road, killing a nine-year-old girl.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 1st Aug 2022
Liquidation no escape from health and safety accountability
Risk & Compliance

Liquidation no escape from health and safety accountability

WorkSafe says directors remain liable after insolvency, as a painter’s death in Bucklands Beach exposed failures to use edge protection.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Fri, 29th Jul 2022
‘I’m not their mother’ no excuse for lax health and safety
Construction

‘I’m not their mother’ no excuse for lax health and safety

A Kaikoura fencing sole trader has been ordered to pay NZD $22,500 after a teenage worker lost sight in one eye.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 17th Jul 2022
TTM changes – what you need to know
Risk & Compliance

TTM changes – what you need to know

Road contractors face new duties as New Zealand shifts temporary traffic management from compliance rules to risk-based controls.

By Michael Curreen • 8 min read • Thu, 7th Jul 2022
Cleaner’s death a reminder to think around the clock
Law

Cleaner’s death a reminder to think around the clock

Businesses must account for after-hours contractors, after a Taranaki cleaner died trapped in machinery and two firms were fined GBP £340,000.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Wed, 6th Jul 2022
Gross negligence caused toxic gas death
Risk & Compliance

Gross negligence caused toxic gas death

A judge has called the site a fatal gas chamber after a worker died from hydrogen sulphide exposure, and the firm was fined and ordered to pay reparations.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 19th Jun 2022