140 litre LPG leak could have been deadly
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 1 March 2019 WorkSafe says an uncontrolled LPG release at a gas production station in Taranaki could have had potentially deadly consequences for the six workers on site. Three companies were sentenced in the New Plymouth District Court last month, after a November 2016 incident that saw approximately 140 litres of […]
Read More →Inaugural health and safety workshop attended by Wairarapa winegrowers and WorkSafe
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 1 March 2019 As harvest season begins, Wairarapa wineries are focused on workers’ health and safety, following a workshop with health and safety regulator WorkSafe New Zealand. In January, WorkSafe hosted the inaugural practical health and safety workshop with 18 wineries from across the Wairarapa region. The workshop, which was run […]
Read More →Worker severs thumb on inadequately guarded machinery
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 28 February 2019 A food manufacturing company was sentenced at the Christchurch District Court yesterday after a worker had their thumb severed while cleaning a machine used to blend products. Wimpex Limited was fined $240,000 following a WorkSafe investigation, which found Wimpex Limited, did not have adequate guarding in place. An initial […]
Read More →Company with 20 previous health and safety convictions fined
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 28 February 2019 A North Island wood processing company with 20 previous health and safety convictions over the last two decades has landed in front of the courts again. Juken New Zealand Limited was sentenced at the Kaitaia District Court yesterday, following an incident which saw a worker suffer serious steam burns. […]
Read More →Failure to fix problems results in severe injuries
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 26 February 2019 A Gore farm machinery company’s lack of effective repairs to a tractor has resulted in a substantial fine and reparations to an injured farm worker. “Vehicle service industries must ensure diligent workmanship, systems and practices in the work that they do to prevent injuries to users,” says WorkSafe Head […]
Read More →WorkSafe joins Young Farmer of the Year Competition
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 15 February 2019 WorkSafe New Zealand has today announced a partnership with the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition. WorkSafe Chief Executive Nicole Rosie says the partnership will connect New Zealand’s future farming leaders with health and safety in an engaging setting, build rapport with rural communities and help create […]
Read More →Work-related health update – February 2019
Source: Worksafe New Zealand Adventure activity notification Asbestos removal Electrical and gas Major Hazard Facilities Hazardous work Occupational diseases Extractives Petroleum Geothermal Raise a health or safety concern […]
Read More →Worker injured due to substandard machine guarding
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 12 February 2019 Toilet paper manufacturer Cottonsoft Ltd received a sentencing decision in the Manukau District Court yesterday after a worker was hurt on inadequately guarded machinery. The sentencing followed a January 2017 incident where the worker sustained crush injuries, degloving and lacerations after his arms were caught in rollers. He […]
Read More →Health related prosecution shines spotlight on work health risks
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 12 February 2019 A recent health-related prosecution of an Ashburton animal feed producer for failing to manage the risk of dust exposure has shone a spotlight on the need to manage work-related health risks. Precision Animal Supplements Ltd (PAS) manufactures a range of mineral pellets for cattle. A hammer mill, a […]
Read More →Airborne invasion
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 12 February 2019 Confused about how to tackle airborne health risks? Philippa Gibson offers a simple management model and notes some common errors. The common refrain is that health risk management is hard – harder than safety risk management. I want to challenge that belief – it’s different but not harder. […]
Read More →Timber company fined after two workers sustain serious injuries
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 1 February 2019 Two similar health and safety failings within three months have cost Rotorua timber company Claymark Limited over $680,000 in fines, reparations and costs. WorkSafe says that one serious injury on a company’s watch is bad enough, but that a second in close succession shows an unacceptable approach to […]
Read More →Meeting of minds to improve health and safety performance
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 28 January 2019 Victoria University of Wellington and WorkSafe New Zealand have agreed to lift performance of New Zealand’s health and safety at work, through the establishment of the WorkSafe New Zealand Chair in Health and Safety. The Chair will provide health and safety academic leadership through high quality research and […]
Read More →Temperatures rise in the workplace
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 28 January 2019 The heat wave expected to hit New Zealand this week means workers and employers need to be more vigilant about working in heat. Management of work in extreme temperatures has been a workplace health and safety consideration for many decades already, says WorkSafe’s Head of Health and Technical […]
Read More →Check safety critical equipment regularly
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 11 January 2019 A worker has died after a wire rope being used as a handrail appears to have parted as he leaned against it and resulted in him falling onto the ground. Initial examination of the wire rope has found corrosion at the site of the parting. It is unclear […]
Read More →Clearing tracks of 1080 bait
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 20 December 2018 This technical bulletin clarifies the certified handler and controlled substance licence requirements for workers clearing tracks of 1080 bait. Background 1080 is a poison widely used in pest eradication programmes. For operations over large areas of forest and bush, it is commonly applied aerially. The requirements for training and licensing of workers […]
Read More →Farmers urged to focus on critical risks to avoid joining summer accident toll
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 19 December 2018 Summer is a busy time on the farm, but it’s also among the most hazardous periods for accidents. Almost 550 farmers suffered injuries serious enough for them to take at least a week off work over the last summer (December 2017 – February 2018) while there were three […]
Read More →Worker crushed by container swinglift
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 19 December 2018 In the past two years, 10 people working in the transport, postal and warehousing sector have died while at work. Three of these deaths occurred in June 2017 and one had its sequel in the Hamilton District Court on Monday. Transport company Altranz (2008) Ltd was sentenced after […]
Read More →WES and BEI explained
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 13 December 2018 Earlier this year we consulted on proposed changes to 15 Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) and 17 biological exposure indices (BEI) as part of ongoing WorkSafe consultation on, and review of, chemicals and their effects on workers. You may know about WES and BEI or heard other people talk […]
Read More →Fires on mining equipment
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 7 December 2018 This technical bulletin highlights the importance of inspection and maintenance to reduce fire risks in all plant and equipment in extractive operations. Background Worksafe’s High Hazard Unit has recently been notified of a series of events involving fires starting on plant in the extractives sector. Most of these incidents have been […]
Read More →Forklift incident a reminder for companies to learn from their mistakes
Source: Worksafe New Zealand 6 December 2018 Mistakes must be learnt from says WorkSafe after a freight company was sentenced in the Auckland District Court last week. PBT Transport Limited was fined $250,000 following an incident in September 2016 where a worker sustained back injuries, after the freight cage he was working in fell three […]
Read More →