WorkSafe considers that GH Stephen Investments Limited breached the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) by carrying out embalming procedures in breach of a prohibition notice [issued pursuant to s 107(1) and (2)(b) HSWA]:

1. A prohibition notice was issued on 19 July 2021.
2. The notice prohibited the PCBU from carrying out embalming processes at the mortuary at 1076 Frankton Road, Frankton, Queenstown (the mortuary), while the notice was in place.
3. The notice was issued on the basis that potentially hazardous substances, including formaldehyde were being used during the embalming procedures and the respiratory protective equipment (RPE) supplied to workers had not been tested to ensure the RPE was of a suitable size and fit to comply with relevant safety regulations.
4. While the notice was still in force embalming procedures took place at the mortuary. Adequate RPE had not been provided to workers at that time due to supply issues as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. GH Stephen Investments Limited breached the notice by carrying out the prohibited activity.
5. GH Stephen Investments Limited sold the business, and the company is no longer trading. The directors finished working in December 2024. The directors do not intend to return to the industry and intend to wind the company up.