Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
4 September 2018
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$310,000 fine imposed

Safety lessons learned:
  • Provide a safe means of access to the elevated grain intake pipes and drag chain at the milling plant by either:
  • removing the maintenance platform and providing a mobile elevated work platform or scaffolding; or
  • ensuring that the maintenance platform complies with relevant industry standards and guidance; and
  • Provide instruction, training, and supervision to ensure that workers understand, and to effectively monitor compliance with, Height Procedure and Permit Procedure;
  • Ensured effective monitoring compliance with Champion’s instruction, training, supervision and safety procedures by all relevant workers; and

Ensure workers are using an effective fall restraint and/or fall arrest system connected to a permanent certified anchor point whenever working at height in areas lacking guard-rails or fixed enclosed ladders.

Defendant name:
Champion Flour Milling Limited
 
Industry:
Manufacturing
 
Date of offence:
4 September 2018
 
Facts in brief:
On 4 September 2018, the victim fell 3.7 metres from an extension ladder while accessing a maintenance platform at the Defendant’s plant. She is now permanently paraplegic below the waist.
 
Offence section:
Sections 48(1) and 2(c), and 36(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
 
Date(s) charged:
30 August 2019

Court:
Christchurch - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$310,000 fine imposed
 
Maximum fine available:
$1.5 million
 
Reparation:
$100,000 for emotional harm
$887.43 costs
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