Truck certifier’s complaint history
The Nelson engineer whose company’s certification was suspended by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) over cracked towbars was disciplined by professional body Engineering New Zealand in 2013.
But he has also been defended by retired truck driver Gordon Taylor, who recognised a cracked towbar in the NZTA’s published alert as one he recently owned, and said there were many factors involved.
The NZTA has advised owners of 1800 vehicles to have them checked and recertified, and told them if there was a question of costs they should contact Peter Wastney Engineering.
The 2013 censure by Chartered Professional Engineers arose from a complaint about a used imported cherry picker from Japan that was certified as safe and serviceable.
It broke down and during repair the original importer said the outrigger interlocks should have been replaced, and a repair manual was not available.
The tribunal heard that imported machines required major examination and manuals must be available. Wastney had used a checklist and had ticked the safety and stabiliser interlocks.
‘‘Through no fault of his own the owner was operating a non-compliant and potentially unsafe machine,’’ the tribunal ruled.
The tribunal found the inspection fell below standards and Wastney was fined $1500 plus $3000 towards costs.
Engineering NZ said Wastney’s registration as a chartered professional engineer was suspended on February 19, 2018, because it lapsed and he had not reapplied.
Meanwhile, retired truck driver Tayler said he felt sorry for Wastney and questioned whether his suspension as a certifier was justified. Taylor said Wastney had a good reputation among engineers in the Nelson area.
Taylor recognised the cracked drawbar on the NZTA’s published warning, and said it was not two years old as stated but was about 12 years old.
He said that because of the rough work the drivers were required to inspect the trailers regularly.
‘‘I’ve seen draw bars where drivers have turned round too far and bent the towing line and then tried to straighten it by backing it the other way. You just don’t do that. It’s what breaks things.’’
‘‘With all the revelations about reinforcing steel in the building sector how do we know these draw bars aren’t recycled steel? No one can prove it.’’
‘‘Some of these people in Wellington are well qualified but they don’t really know the forces involved.’’