New Zealand forestry company fined over worker's arm injury

New Zealand Forestry Company Fined Over Worker's Arm Injury

A New Zealand forestry company has been ordered to pay a fine of $180,000 after a worker's arm became trapped in machinery while working on site.

According to WorkSafe, the worker was troubleshooting equipment when his wrist became trapped in its rollers. He suffered a broken arm and a dislocated wrist, injuries that highlight the risk workers face when operating heavy machinery without adequate safeguards.

Investigation Findings

The safety regulator investigated the June 2021 incident and found the equipment had been modified before use, raising serious questions about compliance with New Zealand's safety standards.

"It is vital that any business bringing new equipment into the country does its due diligence to bring the machinery into line with New Zealand safety standards," WorkSafe's area investigation manager, Danielle Henry, said. "Get the right experts and advice to ensure none of your workers are exposed to the type of danger seen in this incident."

This case echoes another recent matter where a New Zealand worker lost an arm in a conveyor belt incident, underscoring a pattern of preventable harm linked to poorly maintained or improperly modified equipment across sectors.

Reparations Ordered

Beyond the fine, the company was also ordered to pay $10,000 in reparations to the injured worker, reflecting the tribunal's recognition of both the physical and financial toll of the incident.

Why Equipment Safety Standards Matter

Forestry operations rely heavily on specialised equipment, and any contractor bringing machinery into New Zealand carries a duty to verify it meets local safety benchmarks before deployment.

Modifications made overseas or by unqualified contractors can introduce hidden hazards that only surface once equipment is under load during daily operations. Employers who fail to conduct thorough due diligence risk exposing staff to preventable danger, as seen in this case.

• Verify all imported equipment against New Zealand safety standards before use
• Engage qualified contractors or engineers to assess modifications
• Conduct regular risk assessments on machinery used in forestry settings
• Ensure workers receive proper training before troubleshooting equipment

Similar enforcement action has followed other incidents involving heavy industry, including a case where a mining company was fined over a worker injury, and a separate matter involving New Zealand companies fined following the death of a forestry worker. Together, these cases reinforce WorkSafe's consistent message: equipment safety cannot be treated as an afterthought.

Building a Stronger Safety and Health Culture

Businesses operating heavy machinery should treat safety and health obligations as ongoing commitments rather than one-off compliance checks. Regular audits, contractor vetting, and equipment inspections all reduce risk before incidents occur.

For companies seeking guidance on meeting local requirements, resources such as the HSW Manual for New Zealand and tailored documentation for specific workplaces, including the Hospitality HSWA for New Zealand and Office/Administration HSWA for New Zealand, can help employers align their practices with regulatory expectations. Companies with further queries can also consult the Frequently Asked Questions for New Zealand for additional clarity on compliance obligations.

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