Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
26 March 2015
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$39,375

Safety lessons learned:
  1. Ensure an appropriate method of log cartage is  implemented;
  2. Ensure the sides of the dump truck are extended by way of stanchions or similar certified extensions;
  3. Ensure that logs remain below the level of the sides of the bin of a dump truck and crowned as per the approved code of practice;
  4. Ensure a written safe operating procedure is put in place; and
  5. Identify the risk of logs falling from the side of a dump truck in a company hazard register.

Defendant name:
G J Sole Transport Ltd
 
Industry:
Forestry
 
Date of offence:
26 March 2015
 
Facts in brief:
The Defendant is a company offering forestry and transportation services. The Defendant was providing logging and logging cartage services.

The victim was a casual employee with the defendant in the role of both forestry and transportation.

On the day of the incident, the victim was releasing a strop on the side of a dump truck. He was subsequently struck by a log approx. 3.5m long and weighing approx. 800kgs.

The investigation revealed the logs were loaded above the edge of the trailer/bin, and that there were no other mechanisms to prevent the log from falling.
 
Offence section:
Section 6 and 50(1)(a) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
 
Date(s) charged:

Court:
New Plymouth - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$39,375
 
Maximum fine available:
$250,000
 
Reparation:
$97,655.45