SafetyNews New Zealand - Aotearoa's industrial safety news for decision-makers
New Zealand

Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) Stories - Page 8

Kiwi Stories

Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) stories

CentrePort sentenced after fatal fall
Risk & Compliance

CentrePort sentenced after fatal fall

WorkSafe warned firms on height safety after a worker died in a 2017 fall at CentrePort’s Wellington container repair facility.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 18th Jun 2019
Anyone listening out there?
Risk & Compliance

Anyone listening out there?

Machine guarding lapses in meat plants are still leaving workers with amputations, as a new fine highlights repeated safety failures.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Thu, 6th Jun 2019
Construction company sentenced after vehicle fatality
Regulation

Construction company sentenced after vehicle fatality

The company faces a more than $500,000 penalty after safety failures led to an unlicensed worker’s death in a dump truck rollover.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 31st May 2019
A hard lesson in working near powerlines
Health and Safety

A hard lesson in working near powerlines

A worker suffered electric shock and fell from a ladder after a branch hit a powerline, exposing unsafe tree-trimming near lines.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Thu, 23rd May 2019
Studies reveal concerning statistics on workplace bullying and harassment
Human Capital Management

Studies reveal concerning statistics on workplace bullying and harassment

A new WorkSafe focus means only the most serious bullying claims are likely to be investigated, despite annual reports from up to one in three workers.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Thu, 16th May 2019
Unsuspecting worker loses fingers to unguarded machine
Risk & Compliance

Unsuspecting worker loses fingers to unguarded machine

WorkSafe says the injury could have been avoided, after a firewood processor’s unsafe design cost a worker four fingers and triggered fines.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Sun, 12th May 2019
Scaffold collapse highlights the importance of safe design
Law

Scaffold collapse highlights the importance of safe design

Seven workers escaped serious injury after an overloaded scaffold under Auckland’s Panmure Bridge collapsed, costing the firm GBP £150,000.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 7th May 2019
How a simple instruction manual could have prevented this costly injury
District Health Board

How a simple instruction manual could have prevented this costly injury

Two employers were fined after a worker’s arm was crushed during an x-ray machine removal, in a case WorkSafe says was easily avoidable.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Thu, 25th Apr 2019
Company fined $250k after worker fatally injured by steel beam
Risk & Compliance

Company fined $250k after worker fatally injured by steel beam

The court also ordered more than GBP £165,000 in reparations after investigators found unsafe handling of unsecured beams exposed staff to deadly crushing risks.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Wed, 17th Apr 2019
Standardisation for oral fluid drug testing
Human Capital Management

Standardisation for oral fluid drug testing

Workplace testing could face legal scrutiny unless employers use accredited providers that follow the new Australian and New Zealand standard.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 7th Apr 2019
The shocking result of working carelessly with live power
Risk & Compliance

The shocking result of working carelessly with live power

An Invercargill electrical contractor has been fined after a worker suffered serious burns in an arc flash during switchboard work at a pumping station.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Thu, 4th Apr 2019
Forklift incident reminder for companies to learn from mistakes
Risk & Compliance

Forklift incident reminder for companies to learn from mistakes

A freight cage falling three metres left a worker with back injuries, prompting a GBP £250,000 fine and fresh warnings over forklift safety.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Thu, 28th Mar 2019
Worker fatally crushed by container swinglift
Risk & Compliance

Worker fatally crushed by container swinglift

WorkSafe says the transport sector’s toll is rising after a teenage worker was killed in a container unloading accident, with Altranz fined.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Sun, 24th Mar 2019
Worker injured due to substandard machine guarding
Health and Safety

Worker injured due to substandard machine guarding

The firm was fined NZD $315,000 and ordered to pay reparations after a worker suffered crush injuries in a roller accident.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Tue, 26th Feb 2019
Waste mishap leads to enforceable undertaking
Law

Waste mishap leads to enforceable undertaking

The company will fund safety reforms and compensation after a waste station accident left a worker with a brain injury and broken leg.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 17th Feb 2019
Scaffolding collapse falls foul of regulator
Risk & Compliance

Scaffolding collapse falls foul of regulator

WorkSafe says six workers escaped serious injury after a Panmure Bridge scaffold collapse exposed failures in safety oversight.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 10th Dec 2018
Safety gear must be fit for purpose
Risk & Compliance

Safety gear must be fit for purpose

A contractor suffered major brain trauma after faulty scaffolding in Christchurch failed to protect him from a two-metre fall.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Thu, 29th Nov 2018
Local standards not being met
Risk & Compliance

Local standards not being met

A New Zealand metals firm has been fined after a worker lost fingers when an inadequately guarded machine crushed his hands.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Thu, 22nd Nov 2018
No magic formula to stamping out drugs in the workplace
Human Capital Management

No magic formula to stamping out drugs in the workplace

Safety-sensitive firms face legal and reputational risks unless they use accredited testing and clear policies to catch impaired workers early.

By Michael Curreen • 7 min read • Sun, 18th Nov 2018