Employer ordered to pay $100,000 after failing to provide personal protective equipment…

The Court has ordered an employer to pay $100,000 after an employee became sick from working with a hazardous material.

The employee was cleaning up a hazardous material spill. During the clean-up, some of the material splashed into the employee’s eye. This led to the employee becoming sick with a bacterial infection, requiring surgery to save his life.

Worksafe noted that before the clean-up took place, the employer should have stopped and considered the health and safety of the employees. In this case, face shields and safety glasses should have been provided.

The Judge ordered the employer to pay the employee $50,000 in reparations, $4,000 for consequential losses, and imposed an additional fine of $46,000.

If the employer had stopped to consider its obligation to eliminate or minimize hazards to its employees, it could have avoided these consequences.

It is important that employers are constantly aware of any new or emerging hazards, and work quickly to address them. Failure to do so may result in expensive penalties.

If you are concerned about how health and safety incidents are managed in your workplace, it pays to speak with a professional experienced in the area.


Leading law firms committed to helping clients cost-effectively will have a range of fixed-priced Initial Consultations to suit most people’s needs in quickly learning what their options are.  At Rainey Collins we have an experienced team who can answer your questions and put you on the right track.




Alan Knowsley
Health and Safety Lawyer