Media Release
15 October 2012
Ministry Successful in Appeal Against Safe Air Limited

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has successfully appealed the sentence handed down earlier this year to Safe Air Limited over an accident where an employee suffered fatal injuries.

In May Safe Air Limited was ordered to pay a fine of $56,250 and reparation of $22,250 after being prosecuted under section 6 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of an employee at work. The prosecution followed the death of an employee who was ingested into the air intake of a C-130 Hercules engine that was fixed to an outdoor test-bed at Woodbourne Airfield.

MBIE Labour, Southern General Manager, Jean Martin said: “This case involved a serious failure which the Ministry felt the fine originally imposed did not adequately reflect. As a result the decision was made to appeal. The High Court Judge hearing the appeal increased the fine by $13,750, reparation remained unchanged.

“This decision should send a clear message to employers of the need to not only identify, but also to adequately control, all hazards to their employees at work. It also serves as a sad reminder of the consequences of failing to do so.”

“MBIE is committed to ensuring a safe workplace for New Zealanders and takes seriously all cases where failures expose workers to serious harm. MBIE will investigate in such cases, and we will not hesitate to prosecute when appropriate.

ENDS

Notes to Editors
The media release issued at the time of the original case can be found here www.dol.govt.nz/News/Media/2012/company-fined-preventable.asp

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