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Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
On or about 17 July 2017
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$365,000

Safety lessons learned:
  1. Provide appropriate controls to ensure the press was prevented from start-up while work was being carried out inside the enclosed press, such as an interlocked guard;
  2. Implement effective interim controls to protect workers from the risk until a permanent solution could be implemented;
  3. Ensure the provision of information, training and instruction to protect workers from the risks to health and safety when working inside the enclosed press;
  4. Ensure systems and procedures were adequate, communicated to workers and complied with;
  5. Develop and implement a system to ensure that risks identified were addressed appropriately and regularly reviewed.

Defendant name:
Juken New Zealand Limited
 
Industry:
Manufacturing
 
Date of offence:
On or about 17 July 2017
 
Facts in brief:
The Defendant, a wood processing company, owns and operates an enclosed steam press which manufactures Triboard. While working inside the enclosed steam press, the press started up and a worker was engulfed in steam. He suffered significant external and internal burns to his body.
 
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:
Kaitaia - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$365,000
 
Maximum fine available:
$1.5 million
 
Reparation:
$60,000