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Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
30 August 2013
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$25,000

Safety lessons learned:

The machine had a laser safe sensor guard which had been disconnected and not operating at the time of the incident. If the laser guard had been operative, the machine would automatically cease operating at this point.

  1. Ensure that the laser guard on the machine is operative;
  2. Discontinue using the machine until adequate guarding is installed if it is missing;
  3. Actively monitor the use of the machine by physical checks of the functionality of the guard.

Defendant name:
Glidepath Limited
 
Industry:
Manufacturing
 
Date of offence:
30 August 2013
 
Facts in brief:
The defendant employed the victim as a press brake operator. On the day of the incident, the employee was operating the press brake machine. A piece of steel got caught in the machine and the employee reached in between the two places to release the part that was caught. Whilst reaching in, the employee inadvertently depressed the foot pedal resulting in the blade coming down and crushing his right hand.
 
Offence section:
S6 Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
 
Date(s) charged:

Court:
Auckland - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$25,000
 
Maximum fine available:
$250,000
 
Reparation:
$7,000