Auckland port deaths: Union says health and safety expert should lead review

Thursday, 24 September 2020

The most recent death of a Ports of Auckland worker never should have happened and a health and safety expert is needed to front an independent review, the maritime union boss says.

Earlier this month, Auckland mayor Phil Goff announced the council would launch a health and safety review into Ports of Auckland (POAL) following three deaths in as many years.

Most recently, and heightening safety concerns, was the death of father-of-seven Pala’amo (Amo) Kalati. Kalati was crushed to death by a container aboard a ship early on August 30.

After his death, Maritime NZ took the rare move of issuing the company with a notice to improve safety.

**READ MORE:

* Health and safety review into Ports of Auckland following deaths of workers

* Auckland port deaths: Transport Minister calls for 'hard look' at company

* Auckland port death: Raft of safety breaches before man was crushed by container

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Transport Minister Phil Twyford also said it was time for a hard look at the company.

Maritime Union of NZ secretary Russell Mayn spoke to Auckland Council's governing body on Thursday morning.

Mayn said members wanted to thank the council for its decision to call for a review.

The issuing of the improvement notice had “dramatically” improved safety for lashers – workers who secure shipping containers on boats, Mayn said.

But the change Maritime NZ called for should have already been in place, without the regulator needing to intervene, he said.

“[Kalati’s] death was avoidable and never should have happened.”

Mayn said the best people with the correct skills were needed to run the review and make it a real success.

Reviewers needed to have an extensive background in health and safety, he said.

“All we want is a fair go. [Workers have the] right to return home at the end of their day’s work.”

Goff agreed the independence and expertise of reviewers would be critical to the review’s success, and said that was what the council would be seeking.

He said there had been no pushback from POAL or its board when he announced the review.

“We need to know that if there are systemic problems at the port that these will be fixed.”

When the review was announced, POAL board chairwoman Liz Coutts said the company would co-operate fully.