Fireworks company penalised almost $90,000 after explosion at All Blacks game…

Three spectators were injured by falling debris in an unintended explosion at an All Blacks v Australia test match. The explosion was caused by two malfunctioning on-field pyrotechnics known as ‘fireball’ devices.

The District Court has sentenced the company responsible for manufacturing the fireworks under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, and under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.

WorkSafe New Zealand found that the fireworks were manufactured using the incorrect mix of substances, which had been incorrectly labelled. These systematic failures resulted in the creation of pyrotechnics that were highly explosive and dangerous.

WorkSafe New Zealand also noted that the company had inadequate quality assurance systems in place to pick-up on the mistake.

The Court fined the company $52,500 under the Health and Safety legislation, and $31,500 under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. The Court ordered the company to pay over $5,280 in reparation to the injured spectators.