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Health & Safety incident costs employer $55,000
An employee has lost two fingers after using an unsafe saw while at work.
The District Court convicted the employer under Health and Safety legislation for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its employee while at work.
WorkSafe New Zealand investigated the incident and found that one of the saw’s two blade guards was missing. The other guard could not be adjusted to maintain the recommended gap between the guard and the timber, thereby exposing the employees to the saw blade when it was in use.
The Court fined the employer over $33,000 and ordered the employer to pay the employee $20,000 in reparation for emotional harm and over $2,000 for financial loss.
Alan Knowsley
Health and Safety Lawyer
Wellington
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