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Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
On or about 15 May 2017
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$10,000.00

Safety lessons learned:

It was reasonably practicable for Sullivan Contractors 2005 Limited to have:

  1. Undertaken an effective hazard and risk assessment of the Waaka Block and determined the appropriate controls to be implemented;
  2. Assessed whether its workers were competent to undertake forestry work at the Waaka Block given the hazards and risks associated with felling at the Waaka Block;
  3. Ensured that workers who were to undertake forestry work at the Waaka Block were either deemed competent or were under documented training and supervision;
  4. Ensured there was a competent observer present to assess and assist in determining how to fell difficult trees at the Waaka Block;
  5. Ensured that a Harvest Plan was in place prior to commencing forestry work at the Waaka Block;
  6. Prepared and implemented an appropriate and effective tree felling plan for the Waaka block prior to commencing felling.

Defendant name:
Sullivan Contractors 2005 Limited
 
Industry:
Forestry
 
Date of offence:
On or about 15 May 2017
 
Facts in brief:
On 15 May 2017 the Defendant, a harvesting contractor, was carrying out harvesting at a forestry site known as the Waaka Block. One of its workers was assigned to manual tree felling. The worker was struck by a falling tree, suffering fatal injuries.
 
Related prosecutions:
 
Offence section:
Section 36(1)(a), 48(1) and (2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
 
Date(s) charged:
14/05/2018

Court:
Whangarei - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$10,000.00
 
Maximum fine available:
$1.5 million
 
Reparation:
$110,000.00 in emotional harm
$255,225 in consequential loss
$421 in costs