Death of worker costs company $140,000

The death of a worker has cost a Dunedin company $140,000 and prompted a Department of Labour warning that employers should treat workplace hazard identification as a priority.

Transpacific Industries Group (NZ) Ltd was sentenced in Dunedin District Court today and fined $60,000 and ordered to pay reparation of $80,000 over the death of Andrew Sime who was hit by a vehicle while collecting rubbish in February 2009.

The company had pleaded guilty to a charge under a section of the Health and Safety in Employment Act that requires employers to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees while at work.

The department's service manager in Dunedin, Mark Murray, said the object of the Act was to promote the prevention of harm to everyone at work and nearby. This could be achieved by promoting excellence in health and safety management and to define hazards and harm in a comprehensive way.

"Hazard identification and control in the workplace are an integral part of keeping employees safe, as part of the employer's responsibility under the Health and Safety in Employment Act,'' Mr Murray said.

"The identification of hazards is not enough. All practicable steps must be taken to control hazards by elimination, minimisation or isolation to prevent employees from being harmed.''