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Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
4 December 2013
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$57,949

Safety lessons learned:
  1. Install a guard to prevent access to the chain and the nip points.
  2. Implement a prestart warning system that will alert operators to the fact that the conveyor is about to commence operation and a potential danger existed in the form of an appropriately timed visual or audible warning given prior to the conveyor starting;
  3. Install an emergency stop button at the second permanent working station

Defendant name:
Riverlands Eltham Limited
 
Industry:
Manufacturing
 
Date of offence:
4 December 2013
 
Facts in brief:
The defendant company is a meat works which produces meat for export. The victim was employed originally as an ear tag scanner. However, on the 4 December 2013, the victim was on his third shift and operating a hoof nail removal machine unsupervised.

While the victim was cleaning the machine he accidentally activated a foot pedal and his left hand was caught and trapped into the machine up to his wrist. The emergency stop was not easily accessible and he had to reach around with his right hand to push it and then had to reverse his hand out of the machine.

The victim’s left hand was crushed and lacerated. The victim suffers ongoing pain.
 
Offence section:
S6 Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
 
Date(s) charged:

Court:
New Plymouth - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$57,949
 
Maximum fine available:
$250,000
 
Reparation:
$15,000