Co. fined $11,000 after concrete pouring accident

Company fined $11,000 after concrete pouring accident

Downer Construction (New Zealand) Limited was sentenced to pay $11,000 today after being prosecuted by the Occupational Safety and Health Service (OSH).

The company was prosecuted after an accident in Wellington last year where a worker was injured when a floor collapsed during a concrete pour.

"A worker employed by a labour hire agency engaged by Downer Construction, fell about nine metres to ground level and sustained serious injuries. It took him nine months to recover from his injuries," said Ted White, OSH Service Manager, Wellington.

"The worker suffered abrasions to left and right arm, right leg, front and back of his torso and face, his right leg was fractured in two places, fractured left rib and hairline fracture to jaw, difficulty breathing and various dental injuries.

"What caused the accident is that the mould into which concrete was poured didn't have adequate support. Downers had not checked the set out of that area of the floor prior to the pour.

"When a company develops a safe system of work, it has to ensure that its staff are committed to making the system work, and that the appropriate checks are in place.

"Had Downers followed its own quality control procedure by inspecting the floor using its checklist system prior to the concrete pour, then the victim would have avoided the long recovery period which followed.

The company was sentenced at the Wellington District Court by Judge Walsh.

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