Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
9 June 2017
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$250,000

Safety lessons learned:
  • Develop and implement a safe system of work for working with heavy steel beams on work trolleys and the lifting of these beams which would include carrying out a risk assessment then training, supervising and monitoring that system of work.
  • Provide clamps to its workers, and ensure that heavy steel beams are secured/clamped while on work trolleys.
  • Ensure, through supervision and monitoring, that crane remote controls/transmitters are placed in a safe position when not in use.

Defendant name:
Pegasus Engineering Limited
 
Industry:
Manufacturing
 
Date of offence:
9 June 2017
 
Facts in brief:
A worker was fatally crushed by a steel beam that fell from a work trolley in the Defendant’s workshop.
 
Offence section:
Sections 48(1) and 2(c), and 36(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
 
Date(s) charged:

Court:
Christchurch - High Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$250,000
 
Maximum fine available:
$1.5 million
 
Reparation:
For emotional harm:
$80,000 to the spouse of the deceased
$20,000 to the daughter of the deceased

For consequential loss:
$23,240 to the spouse of the deceased
 
Related Documents:
PDF
Appeal decision: Pegasus Engineering Limited v WorkSafe New Zealand (PDF 379 KB)
PDF
Sentencing notes: WorkSafe New Zealand v Pegasus Engineering Limited (PDF 631 KB)
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