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Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
25 January 2017
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$315,000

Safety lessons learned:
  1. Install adequate guarding arrangements on the 101B Rewinder;
  2. Install effective emergency stop mechanisms; and
  3. Make interim arrangements to effectively manage the risks associated with access to the embossing rollers until permanent guarding arrangements were installed by developing, documenting, implementing, communicating and monitoring the effectiveness of a safe system of work for the operation of the 101B Rewinder.

Defendant name:
Cottonsoft Limited
 
Industry:
Manufacturing
 
Date of offence:
25 January 2017
 
Facts in brief:
The defendant installed a Chan Li 101B Rewinder at its manufacturing plant in Auckland in 2010. In 2016 an incident occurred on the Rewinder. Following the incident the Defendant submitted a report to WorkSafe stating it would install fencing, with interlocking gates, around the Rewinder. The expected completion date was 1 May 2016.

The Defendant did not complete the proposed fencing and interlocking gates nor did it make interim arrangements to manage the risks associated with the Rewinder.

On 24 January 2017 the victim was on the walkway between the printer and the embossing rollers on the 101B Rewinder. The Rewinder had no fencing or interlocking gatesd isolating the walkway between the print unit and the embossing rollers. The machine was operating at the time.

The victim’s arms because caught in the unguarded print rollers. The victim sustained crush injuries to both arms, including degloving and laceration. He also suffered rib fractures.
 
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:
Manukau - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$315,000
 
Maximum fine available:
$1.5 million
 
Reparation:
$45,000