Media Release

22 July 2010

The Department of Labour is reminding employers of their responsibility to properly identify all potential hazards that employees could be exposed to in the workplace.

This reminder follows the sentencing of Transfield Services (New Zealand) Limited today in the Auckland District Court over an incident in June 2009 where an employee was seriously injured as a result of an arc flash.

Transfield Services (New Zealand) Limited was ordered to pay a fine of $39,000 and reparation of $10,000.

The employee, a third year apprentice electrician, was working alone at the time of the accident. He had limited experience in the type of work that he was doing and was not aware of the arc flash hazard. He mistakenly cut an 11,000 volt live cable which caused the arc flash.

Transfield Services (New Zealand) Limited faced a charge of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that an employee was not exposed to hazards arising out of dismantling two redundant electrical switchboards and removing associated redundant cables.

The Department of Labour Central Auckland Service Manager, Claire Morris says that this accident could have been prevented had the company properly identified all potential hazards, made sure that its employee was adequately supervised and that he was wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment.
“Proper hazard identification in the workplace can prevent serious harm and save lives” Ms Morris says.

 

ENDS

Please note that health and safety services, formerly referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred to as the Department of Labour.

Media contact: 0274 422 141 or e-mail media@dol.govt.nz