Company fined $220,000 after worker’s leg crushed

WELLINGTON: A steel company has been fined more than $200,000 after a worker’s leg was crushed in machinery.

The incident happened in 2018 at Aucklandbased D&H Steel Construction Ltd.

The worker was caught by a steel beam on a machine, pulling him on to a roller table where he became trapped between the two.

He suffered multiple injuries to his left leg and pelvis, and later had his leg amputated.

In a decision released by the Waitakere District Court this week, D&H Steel was fined $220,000 after entering a guilty plea. The worker was also paid $172,000 for emotional harm and loss before the sentencing.

WorkSafe area manager Danielle Henry said an investigation found the machine was not guarded properly, meaning workers were at risk of becoming caught in it.

‘‘Our investigation found workers were routinely required to access the machine’s operating area to adjust or replace drill bits or repair faults, while the machine was electronically locked out. However, there was inadequate guarding in place to prevent the worker from accessing the operating area if the machine’s automatic lockout failed,’’ Ms Henry said.

‘‘This is not best practice. The company should have ensured workers weren’t able to reach dangerous moving parts.’’

In a statement, the company said it took full responsibility for the incident and accepted the sentence.

The company said it had done its best to try to remedy the harm caused by the incident, including continuous offers of support and visits to the worker and training him for a new role.

‘‘D&H Steel deeply regrets that this accident occurred. We apologise unreservedly to the injured man and his whanau, and to our staff, for the distress the accident has caused,’’ D&H Steel general manager Wayne Carson said.

‘‘We regret that this accident was able to occur and we have done everything we can to avoid another similar incident happening again,’’ Mr Carson said.

‘‘We have taken considerable steps to protect our staff and visitors at our workplace, and have spent more than $400,000 on safety initiatives.’’

The company said it was first time it had been before the court for a health and safety matter since its inception in 1972.

Mr Carson has also visited six companies in the steel industry across the country to share the company’s findings from the incident and to offer advice on workshops and machine setups.

The company will also produce a briefing document for Steel Construction NZ, which will be circulated within the wider sector. — RNZ