Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
2 June 2011
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$26,250

Safety lessons learned:
  1. Identify the training and operating requirements for the Manitou MT1840 Rough Terrain Telescopic Handler
  2. Assess whether Transfield’s training of Richard Edwards meet the requirements for safe use of the Manitou MT1840 Rough Terrain Telescopic Handler
  3. Ensure that its employees do not operate the Manitou MT1840 Rough Terrain Telescopic Handler until they have been so trained
  4. To ensure that its employees did not operate the Manitou MT1840 Rough Terrain Telescopic Handler as an elevated work platform.

Defendant name:
Electrix Limited
 
Industry:
Energy
 
Date of offence:
2 June 2011
 
Facts in brief:
Electrix Limited is an infrastructure contractor that carries out high voltage electrical contracting work.

On 2 June 2011 reconductoring work was being undertaken on the line from Hayward to Oteranga Bay. Specifically work was being done at the Makara Wind Farm. The terrain is hilly and exposed semi developed pasture and scrub. A team of 2 were allocated after a “toolbox” meeting with the Transfield project manager, set up a Telehandler machine to work.

The Telehandler’s boom was extended, and the two men who were attached by safety harness, fell approximately 20 metres when the Telehandler toppled onto its side.

One worked suffered fatal injuries at the scene and the other suffered serious harm.
 
Offence section:
S6 Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
 
Date(s) charged:

Court:
Wellington - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$26,250
 
Maximum fine available:
$250,000
 
Reparation:
$82,663