7 September 2012
Winstone Pulp fined $29,000 for unguarded saw
Tangiwai-based, Winstone Pulp International, has been ordered to pay a fine of $29,000 for a hazardous snip saw that had
been used unsafely for more than seven years.
The Court heard that following an accident the saw was inspected by a Labour Group Health and Safety Inspector who
observed that the was no effective guard on the saw - contrary to the general guidance about guarding provided by
Ministry.
Labour Group General Manager, John Howard, said: “Unguarded machinery is extremely dangerous and an accident waiting to
happen. The general guidance around guarding machinery is long-standing, well-understood and easily available from the
Labour Group website.
“There is also specific guidance around the required level of guarding for these types of saws.
“When you consider the time that this machine has been operational and unguarded together with the easy availability of
clear guidance, then there is no excuse whatsoever for this company to be operating such an inherently dangerous piece
of machinery.”
“All too often employees are seriously injured at work, when it is their fundamental right to go home safe at the end of
their working day.”
MBIE-Labour has a three-year project under way to reduce the number of serious harm and fatal accidents resulting from
the unsafe use of machinery.
Winstone Pulp International appeared in the Palmerston North District Court today.
Winstone Pulp International was charged with one offence under Sections 7 and 50(1)(a) of the Health and Safety in
Employment Act 1992, which states. Being an employer, failed to ensure that there were in place effective methods for
systematically identifying existing hazards to employees at work.
The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 is available online: http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1992/0096/latest/DLM278829.html
The MBIE has developed a series of factsheets to help businesses ensure their machinery is adequately guarded, and their employees are safe. These are part of the
MBIE’s Safe Use Of Machinery Project – a national initiative that focuses on lifting the standard of machine guarding in
New Zealand. Health and Safety Inspectors are focusing on raising awareness amongst employers and employees of the
importance of machine guarding and checking that effective procedures and systems are in place to ensure the safe use of
machinery in the workplace.
ENDS