Pike River Coal Ltd – one health and safety charge withdrawn

MEDIA RELEASE

31 July 2012

Pike River Coal Ltd – one health and safety charge withdrawn

One of the ten charges laid against Pike River Coal Ltd (In Receivership) over the explosion which killed 29 miners has been withdrawn.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (which has assumed the work of the former Department of Labour) sought and was granted leave to withdraw the charge at the Greymouth District Court today. The remaining nine charges against Pike River Coal Ltd are not affected by this decision.

“The withdrawn charge related to Pike River Coal Ltd’s general contractor management, and we consider that the relevant factors will be adequately addressed within the detail of the other charges Pike River still faces,” says Lesley Haines, Head of Health and Safety for the Ministry.

Pike River is charged now with four offences of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its employees, four of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its contractors, subcontractors and their employees in relation to specific activities within the mine and one charge of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that no action or inaction of its employees harmed another person.

ENDS
Notes to Editor

The Department of Labour is now the Labour Group of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Established on July 1, 2012, MBIE develops and delivers policy, services, advice and regulation for businesses to support economic growth and the prosperity and wellbeing of New Zealanders.

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