Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
15 May 2014
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$0 defendant company in liquidation at time of sentencing

Safety lessons learned:
  1. Ensure that the means for attaching lifting tackle to prefabricated walls is fit for purpose;
  2. Ensure that the method of fixing lifting tackle used by a mobile gantry crane is adequately rated for the load placed on it.

Defendant name:
True Green Homes Limited (in liquidation)
 
Industry:
Building and construction
 
Date of offence:
15 May 2014
 
Facts in brief:
The Defendant is a construction company specialising in prefabricated homes.

The Defendant owns a mobile gantry crane which is used to lift prefabricated wall frames.

On the day of the incident, a completed wall was being moved by the victim and another employee using the crane. As the wall was not evenly balanced, a screw which secured a chain to the wall snapped causing a sudden release of tension.

The wall struck the victim on the face. He suffered a forehead laceration and eye damage.
 
Offence section:
Sections 6 and 50(1)(a) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
 
Date(s) charged:

Court:
Christchurch - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$0 defendant company in liquidation at time of sentencing
 
Maximum fine available:
$250,000
 
Reparation:
$10,000