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Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) Stories - Page 9

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Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) stories

Lax approach to forestry operation injures worker
Risk & Compliance

Lax approach to forestry operation injures worker

A forestry worker was hospitalised after a tumbling log struck him on his first day, prompting a $100,000 fine for Cropp Logging.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Fri, 26th Oct 2018
Take your health and safety systems with you
Risk & Compliance

Take your health and safety systems with you

Businesses moving premises are being urged to keep worker safety controls in place after a forklift crush left one man with life-changing injuries.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 23rd Oct 2018
Workplace bullying and harassment a perennial problem
Human Capital Management

Workplace bullying and harassment a perennial problem

One in three workers may face bullying or harassment each year, prompting WorkSafe to warn firms that the risk can escalate if ignored.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 19th Oct 2018
Complacency over chemical use leaves worker without an eye
Risk & Compliance

Complacency over chemical use leaves worker without an eye

A Tauranga mussel plant has been fined and ordered to pay reparation after a cleaner lost an eye in a corrosive product incident.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Sun, 14th Oct 2018
Automated gates can spell automated danger
Risk & Compliance

Automated gates can spell automated danger

A child was nearly crushed in less than 45 seconds when an unguarded gate closed around them, prompting a safety alert.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Tue, 2nd Oct 2018
Glazing accident sees enforceable undertaking
Health and Safety

Glazing accident sees enforceable undertaking

A crushed ankle has prompted WorkSafe to accept Woods Glass’s undertaking, after it found unsafe procedures and missing guarding on a cutter.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Thu, 16th Aug 2018
Fatal interactions between forklifts and people
Risk & Compliance

Fatal interactions between forklifts and people

A New Zealand freight firm has been fined NZD $506,300 after a worker was crushed by falling pallets during forklift unloading in Auckland.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Mon, 2nd Jul 2018
Regulator accepts another enforceable undertaking
Risk & Compliance

Regulator accepts another enforceable undertaking

Worker safety reforms will be funded after a fibreboard maker’s undertaking over a machine injury that left an employee with three fractures.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 19th Jun 2018
Mining company sentenced after worker death
Risk & Compliance

Mining company sentenced after worker death

A Tauranga court has fined Oceana Gold NZD $378,000 and ordered reparations after a 2016 underground mine fall killed a worker.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Mon, 28th May 2018
Asbestos removal not just a risk for the worker
Risk & Compliance

Asbestos removal not just a risk for the worker

WorkSafe says poor asbestos controls can expose neighbours and visitors, after a New Plymouth remover was fined GBP £35,000 for unsafe work.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Wed, 23rd May 2018
Co-operation key to safety on big projects
Risk & Compliance

Co-operation key to safety on big projects

Poor co-ordination on Auckland building sites has left contractors exposed to serious injury, after a worker fell six metres.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Tue, 24th Apr 2018
Ninth enforceable undertaking agreed
Risk & Compliance

Ninth enforceable undertaking agreed

A worker’s hand injuries have prompted safety changes, after WorkSafe accepted a ninth enforceable undertaking in lieu of prosecution.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Fri, 13th Apr 2018
Do you really know what your workers are doing?
Law

Do you really know what your workers are doing?

A Whangarei engineering firm has been fined after a worker suffered severe burns when a jammed galvanising machine failed above molten zinc.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Wed, 11th Apr 2018
Multiple risk sources need to be managed
Risk & Compliance

Multiple risk sources need to be managed

A worker was left with severe arm injuries after an unsafe tortilla oven lacked guarding, training and an emergency plan, WorkSafe found.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Fri, 23rd Mar 2018
Health and safety enforcement measures a live wire
Risk & Compliance

Health and safety enforcement measures a live wire

Courts are still split on how far tougher health and safety penalties should go, leaving businesses uncertain over likely fines and undertakings.

By Michael Curreen • 11 min read • Mon, 12th Mar 2018
New year and new opportunity to improve workplace chemical safety
Supply Chain

New year and new opportunity to improve workplace chemical safety

Small and medium-sized firms face tougher chemical compliance demands as revised rules leave many still seeking practical guidance.

By Michael Curreen • 5 min read • Sat, 10th Mar 2018
Machine guarding no new phenomenon
Risk & Compliance

Machine guarding no new phenomenon

WorkSafe says inadequate guarding still exposes workers to life-changing injuries, after two Southland firms were fined for amputations.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 9th Mar 2018
Reflections on the first year in the job
Risk & Compliance

Reflections on the first year in the job

WorkSafe says its push on critical risks, leadership and worker engagement is helping New Zealand edge towards a 25% injury cut by 2020.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Mon, 5th Mar 2018
Playing down workplace incidents doesn’t pay
Risk & Compliance

Playing down workplace incidents doesn’t pay

Workers face greater risk when serious injuries are under-reported, after a depot was fined for failing to notify and minimise a plasterboard accident.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Thu, 22nd Feb 2018