New Zealand companies fined following death of forestry worker

New Zealand companies fined following death of forestry worker

Two forestry companies have been ordered to collectively pay fines and reparations amounting to $335,680 following the death of a 39-year-old forestry subcontractor who died while manually cutting down trees southeast of Auckland in June 2022.

Turoa Logging Limited and Pulley Contracting Limited were both sentenced over failures that WorkSafe found directly contributed to the fatal incident, highlighting ongoing workplace health and safety concerns within the forestry sector.

What happened during the fatal felling operation?

WorkSafe indicated that the trees the man was cutting manually had been windthrown, meaning they were bent and harmed by wind. This condition made manual felling considerably more hazardous for the subcontractor involved.

An investigation conducted by WorkSafe revealed the logging company failed to adequately reassess its harvesting plan following removal of nearby trees by machinery, and did not ensure safe felling practices were adhered to by workers on site.

Why does this case matter for New Zealand businesses?

"Businesses must manage their risks and cannot contract their way out of responsibility. Contractors on smaller sites like this are owed the same level of care as those in large-scale operations," says WorkSafe's area investigation manager, Paul West.

This statement reinforces a broader principle across New Zealand's health and safety framework: employers remain accountable for worker safety regardless of contracting arrangements or site size. Companies operating in high-risk sectors, including forestry, construction, and manufacturing, should take note that outsourcing tasks does not reduce their legal obligations.

Sentencing outcome

Both companies received sentences from the Manukau District Court on 4 March 2025. The combined penalty of $335,680 reflects the seriousness with which the court, alongside WorkSafe, treats failures in managing forestry hazards.

• Reassessment of harvesting plans after machinery removes surrounding trees
• Verification that safe felling practices are consistently followed on site
• Equal duty of care extended to subcontractors, regardless of operation scale

Lessons for forestry and other high-risk industries

Businesses across the country should review their risk management practices in light of this case, particularly where windthrown or damaged trees are present. Similar incidents have previously resulted in significant penalties — see our coverage of a New Zealand forestry company fined over a worker's arm injury for further context on recurring hazards in this sector.

Other industries face comparable scrutiny from regulators. Our report on New Zealand meat companies fined for a worker's fatal injury and coverage of a New Zealand company fined following a fatal conveyor belt incident demonstrate that fatal workplace incidents carry consistent consequences under current legislation.

Employers seeking to strengthen compliance can explore tailored safety management resources, such as the Hospitality HSWA - New Zealand pack and the HSW Manual - New Zealand, both designed to support businesses in meeting their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

For companies managing office-based or administrative teams alongside field operations, the Office/Administration HSWA - New Zealand resource offers additional guidance on maintaining consistent standards across an entire workforce.

Further details on this case can be found via WorkSafe's official reporting. Businesses with questions about compliance requirements may also wish to consult our Frequently Asked Questions New Zealand (FAQ's) page for practical guidance.