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Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) Stories - Page 3

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Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) stories

Experience is no substitute for good safety
Risk & Compliance

Experience is no substitute for good safety

A Queenstown ski operator has been fined after a fatal fence-post crash exposed years of ignored hazards and poor risk checks.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 10th Oct 2023
Why seasonal workers are at higher risk
Agricultural Technology

Why seasonal workers are at higher risk

A packhouse safety lapse left a teenage seasonal worker needing partial finger amputations, prompting a $225,000 fine for Clyde Orchards.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 5th Sep 2023
Vehicle failure results in fatality
Victim support

Vehicle failure results in fatality

A coroner found brake failure and driver errors caused the crash that killed 11-year-old Hannah Francis, leaving dozens injured.

By Michael Curreen • 5 min read • Thu, 24th Aug 2023
$500k fine for meatworks death
Risk & Compliance

$500k fine for meatworks death

Weak safety controls at AFFCO’s Wairoa plant have led to a NZD $502,500 court fine after a worker was crushed to death.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Fri, 23rd Jun 2023
Free forklift safety guide developed
Risk & Compliance

Free forklift safety guide developed

The new guidance aims to close safety gaps for forklift users after outdated 1995 rules were found to be unfit for modern operations.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Wed, 7th Jun 2023
Bark-stripper incident highlights challenges with imported machinery
Risk & Compliance

Bark-stripper incident highlights challenges with imported machinery

A forestry exporter has been fined after a worker suffered surgery for arm injuries when unsafe imported equipment trapped his wrist at Northport.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 26th May 2023
School-leaver horrifically injured at new job
Risk & Compliance

School-leaver horrifically injured at new job

Poor training at a Hawke’s Bay meatworks left a 17-year-old with partial finger amputations, and the company has been fined and ordered to pay reparations.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 19th May 2023
Company failures leave builder in wheelchair
Risk & Compliance

Company failures leave builder in wheelchair

A preventable fall from an unguarded void has left one builder paralysed and unable to work, prompting hefty fines for two firms.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Wed, 10th May 2023
Quick guide to work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Risk & Compliance

Quick guide to work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Poor workplace design and repetitive tasks can trigger aches, injuries and chronic pain, with risk rising as more factors combine.

By Michael Curreen • 8 min read • Wed, 3rd May 2023
Over half of NZ workers exposed to carcinogens
Risk & Compliance

Over half of NZ workers exposed to carcinogens

WorkSafe says exposure to cancer-causing agents remains widespread, with 57.5% of workers probably affected, raising work-related death risks.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Thu, 27th Apr 2023
Feedback sought on new mining and quarrying safety requirements
Risk & Compliance

Feedback sought on new mining and quarrying safety requirements

Operators could face new competency checks as WorkSafe seeks feedback on rules covering mining and quarrying certificates of competence.

By Michael Curreen • 9 min read • Mon, 17th Apr 2023
Council sentenced for part in slide collapse
Risk & Compliance

Council sentenced for part in slide collapse

A father left with 11 surgeries after a 12-metre fall will receive reparation as the council is held accountable for safety lapses at the festival.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Thu, 30th Mar 2023
Repeated machine guard failures ‘reprehensible’
Risk & Compliance

Repeated machine guard failures ‘reprehensible’

A West Auckland bakery has been fined GBP £18,000 after two workers suffered severe hand injuries from unguarded machines.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 20th Mar 2023
Toddler’s death at pond spurs call to do better
Risk & Compliance

Toddler’s death at pond spurs call to do better

WorkSafe and Water Safety New Zealand warn pond owners to fence off hazards after a council's sentencing over three-year-old Lachlan Jones' death.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 7th Mar 2023
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 • 3 min read • Thu, 12th Jan 2023