Court Summary - at a glance
Date of offence:
24 October 2013
Plea:
Guilty
Decision:
Convicted
Final decision date:
Fine imposed:
$36,000
Safety lessons learned:
- Ensure that the chipper machine is adequately guarded.
- Document and implement a detailed Standard Operating Procedure for the chipper machine outlining when and how general housekeeping, such as cleaning, and general maintenance is to be performed and when.
Defendant name:
Pacific Pine Industries Limited
Industry:
Manufacturing
Date of offence:
24 October 2013
Facts in brief:
Defendant company owns and operates a saw mill. The victim had been employed with the Defendant as a mill hand.
On 24 October 2013 the victim approached the chipper through the open gate guard and ducked under the shaker. He was struck on the left hand side of his forehead by the spinning screen counterweight. He then staggered backwards and tripped over the stabiliser wall. He fell and struck his head on a heavy wooden box which contained the replacement blades for the chipper.
He suffered a fracture to his skull, a bruised brain and presence of air inside the cranial cavity indicating an open head wound where the brain had been exposed to the atmosphere.
On 24 October 2013 the victim approached the chipper through the open gate guard and ducked under the shaker. He was struck on the left hand side of his forehead by the spinning screen counterweight. He then staggered backwards and tripped over the stabiliser wall. He fell and struck his head on a heavy wooden box which contained the replacement blades for the chipper.
He suffered a fracture to his skull, a bruised brain and presence of air inside the cranial cavity indicating an open head wound where the brain had been exposed to the atmosphere.
Offence section:
S6 Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
Date(s) charged:
Court:
Tokoroa - District Court
Plea:
Guilty
Final decision date:
Decision:
Convicted
Fine imposed:
$36,000
Maximum fine available:
$250,000
Reparation:
$30,000
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