The two deaths in 2025 were Michael Sherry, of Dunedin, and Lynda Kelly, of Te Anau — the pair both died in workplace incidents within just over a week of one another.
Documents released to the Otago Daily Times show WorkSafe was notified of 156 work-related injuries and illnesses, 83 incidents, and three deaths within Otago and Southland in 2024 and 2025.
Of the incidents that required investigation, last year, there were nine active cases, the documents said.
The investigation that has been open the longest was the death of Mr Sherry, an employee of Scott Technology, who died during a serious accident on the job on April 24.
Emergency services were called to its Dunedin facility, in Kaikorai Valley Rd, about 3.45pm.
Mr Sherry, a husband and father of two daughters, was remembered as "a true lover of music and a friend to all who met him".
"Sherry’s warmth, laughter, and kindness touched countless lives", his Givealittle page said at the time.
Mr Sherry had been employed as a PLC technician at Scott Technology since September 2023.
Just over a week later, Ms Kelly, of Te Anau, was working at the Te Anau Transfer Station when she was pinned between a bin and a wall while working.
Her daughter said at the time if she had been "a little bit further up, she wouldn’t have got [hit]".
"If she was a little bit further back, she wouldn’t have [either]."
Ms Kelly was remembered by her family as "strong, caring, and always there" when she was needed.
"Losing her so suddenly has left us devastated."
That investigation has been open since May 5, the documents said.
The most recent investigation to open was of a Queenstown incident on November 14.
It was one of four investigations opened since October.
Three investigations had been closed last year, the official information showed.
Two more were closed in 2024.
In its response to the ODT, WorkSafe said it was unable to confirm whether one investigation had been closed as the matter was before the courts.
Therefore, the list of closed investigations it provided was "incomplete", the work health-and-safety regulator said.
WorkSafe also said there was one workplace death in Otago and Southland in 2024.
Balclutha’s Alex McLellan, owner of McLellan freight, died on February 20 that year, as a result of injuries sustained while working at the Barr St truck yard.
Since November 2020, there have been 25 workplace fatalities in Otago and Southland.
Across New Zealand, since 2020 there had been 232 confirmed workplace fatalities, the documents said.
WorkSafe conducted 766 investigations over that period, they said.
