Big fine for Carter Holt Harvey after worker stuck in conveyor belt

Wednesday, 31 October 2018

Carter Holt Harvey has been fined $371,000 and must pay $55,000 in reparations, plus costs, after a worker became stuck in a conveyor belt.

The incident happened in October 2016 at the Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) LVL plant at Ruakaka, near Whangarei.

Steven Vincent had his chest and shoulder crushed, suffering multiple fractures, lacerations and lung injuries after his body became trapped in a conveyor belt

A WorkSafe investigation found the LVL press machine wasn't guarded, in breach of the company's health and safety procedures.

In the District Court in Whangarei on Wednesday, CHH LVL Ruakaka was ordered to pay Vincent $55,000 in reparations, and fined $371,000 plus costs.

E tū organiser Annie Tothill said the judge said he had taken into account the fact that there were more than 26 previous cases involving Carter Holt Harvey, some involving a lack of guarding, which in this case added another $60,000 to the fine.

 'This was essential guarding,' she said. 'Steve was putting his body at risk.  His whole body went into the press. Not only was there inadequate guarding: there was no guarding at all.'

She said the fine sent a message that workplaces must be safe and that a failure to meet basic safety requirements was unacceptable.

'Steve has suffered months of agony and recovery from his injuries – he's only recently had more surgery for the lung damage caused by this terrible accident and may require more. He is lucky to be alive.'