Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Pike River – Parties Charged Named
11 November 2011
Pike River – Parties Charged Named
All suppression orders relating to those charged with health and safety failures at the Pike River Coal mine have been lifted.
The decision followed a teleconference between all parties late this afternoon convened by the Greymouth District Court.
The Department can now confirm that those charged are:
Pike River Coal Limited (in
receivership):
Charged with 4 offences of failing to
take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its
employees; 5 offences of failing to take all practicable
steps to ensure the safety of its contractors,
subcontractors and their employees; and one offence of
failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that no
action or inaction of its employees harmed another
person.
These failures relate to methane explosion management, strata management, ventilation management, mitigating the risk and impact of an explosion and health and safety management for contractors, subcontractors and their employees.
VLI Drilling Pty Limited (Valley
Longwall):
Charged with one offence of failing to
take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its
employees; one offence of failing to take all practicable
steps to ensure the safety of contractors, subcontractors
and their employees; and one offence of failing to take all
practicable steps to ensure that no action or inaction of
its employees harmed another person.
These failures relate to the maintenance and operation of machinery.
Peter William Whittall:
Charged, as
an officer of Pike River Coal Limited, with 4 offences of
acquiescing or participating in the failures of Pike River
Coal Limited as an employer; 4 offences of acquiescing or
participating in the failures of Pike River Coal Limited as
a principal; and 4 offences of failing to take all
practicable steps to ensure that no action or inaction of
his as an employee harmed another person.
These failures relate to methane explosion management, strata management, ventilation management and mitigating the risk and impact of an explosion.
The formal legal process is now underway. The Department can not provide any further information than is contained in this media release. The Department will not be giving interviews.
Notes
• The
Department’s investigative process, culminating in the
laying of charges, has taken 357 days to complete. It has
been the most complex investigation ever undertaken by the
Department.
• At its peak, a team of 15 was directly
involved in the investigation.
• Over 200 interviews
were conducted.
• The Department engaged acknowledged
subject experts to assist the investigation.
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On Why We Can’t Survive Two More Years Of This
Interchurch Bioethics Council: Church Bioethics Agencies Express Dismay at the Rushed Consultation Period for Submissions on the Gene Technology Bill
New Zealand Police: More Than $2.5m Worth Of Assets Restrained In Undeclared Tobacco Case
SPCA: Survey Shows Government Lacks Mandate To Repeal Live Export Ban
Peace Action Ōtautahi: Bridge Of Remembrance Peace Protest
National Wetland Trust: Public Asked To Help Prevent Fires In Wetlands This Summer
Lillian Hanly, RNZ: The Year In Politics - Stories That Dominated The Headlines In 2024
