Company Fined $23,500 After Worker Killed

A Christchurch company was sentenced to pay $23,500 today after a worker was killed in an accident last year.

Peter Baker Transport Ltd were fined after failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of an employee at work.

The accident occurred when a worker was assisting to unload the Semi Curtainsider of a truck when a 1200 kg mezzanine floor fell onto him. He was fatally injured and died at the scene.

$20,000 went to the victim's family.

"This tragic accident could have been avoided had the company carried out a complete hazard assessment of the trailer once it arrived in the depot and before it was unloaded," said Margaret Radford, OSH Service Manager, Christchurch.

"In addition, this was not the first time the company had had problems with the falling of a mezzanine floor during unloading.

"New Zealanders dying and being injured at work is simply unacceptable."

Mrs Radford said companies needed to view health and safety not simply as a cost, but rather as an investment in the future health and profitability of their company.

"Health and safety should be an integral part of any business. Employers must take a systematic approach to identifying workplace hazards and put systems in place to protect workers. These systems need to be constantly reviewed and updated."

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