Company fined after worker was exposed to toxic vapour

Mother and son killed in a tragic tractor accident. A coroner has deemed the deaths of a 33-year-old pregnant mother and her three-year-old son in a tractor crash a "tragic accident."

The woman, an experienced tractor driver, was driving the tractor with her eldest child on the family's beef and lamb farm in Otago, New Zealand, in October 2018, when tragedy unfolded. She was driving with a trailer attached to the back of the tractor to pick up a dead animal.

Investigations found that they were travelling downhill and began to skid towards a deep irrigation pond when the tractor lost control and crashed into the pond. The mother smashed the glass of the submerged tractor and freed them both, but her shirt got caught on a small cleat, and sadly, both mother and son died.

"Despite her extensive tractor driving experience, it appears that she only applied the left-hand side brake pedal with the intention of turning right in the direction of the dead animal," the coroner said. "However, this caused the tractor to sledge and continue tracking straight into the dam. The weight of the trailer may also have influenced the braking capability of the tractor."

The coroner's report found no fault with the tractor but endorsed health and safety lessons noted in the WorkSafe report. Read the full article on the Seven News website.

Company fined after worker was exposed to toxic vapour

Summary: A marine engineering firm has been fined $340,000 after a worker suffered a severe brain injury from exposure to hydrocarbon brake cleaner vapour while cleaning a boat's engine room. The case highlights why chemical safety controls, ventilation, and proper PPE use remain essential for employers managing hazardous substance risks.

In July 2019, a worker suffered a severe brain injury after being exposed to vapour from a hydrocarbon brake fluid while cleaning a boat at Port Nelson. This incident underscores the ongoing chemical safety challenges faced by construction and marine engineering workplaces alike.

What happened during the cleaning task

The worker was sent to complete cleaning duties in one of the engine rooms of a boat being refitted at the workshop just after 9 am. He was given rags, a one-litre pump spray bottle of hydrocarbon brake cleaner, and a fan for ventilation.

The man was found unresponsive on the floor just after 10:30 am, with his protective mask and PPE-issued gloves missing. He was rushed to hospital and admitted to the emergency department.

Penalty and safety implications

The marine engineering company was fined $340,000 for exposing one of its workers to the risk of toxic chemicals. This case serves as a strong reminder for businesses across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors that chemical handling procedures require rigorous safety oversight.

Employers managing similar tasks should consider reviewing their approach to chemical exposure risks, particularly where confined spaces and limited airflow increase danger. Effective health and safety planning depends on:

• Proper ventilation systems for enclosed work areas involving chemical vapours
• Mandatory PPE checks before, during, and after tasks involving hazardous chemicals
• Regular safety training on chemical handling procedures for construction and marine teams
• Clear supervision protocols to monitor workers exposed to chemical fumes

Businesses operating in construction, manufacturing, or maritime industries can strengthen workplace safety outcomes by comparing incidents like this with other enforcement cases, such as the NSW roofing company fined after a worker falls, the VIC company fined after a worker's hand was crushed in machinery, and the VIC company fined after a worker's arm became trapped in a shredder.

Construction and industrial employers should also ensure documentation such as a First Aid Worker Register stays current, alongside clear guidance found in Worker Contractor Manuals, to support consistent health and safety compliance across construction sites and chemical-handling workplaces.

Read the original article on the stuff.co.nz website.