New Zealand meat company fined after modified machine kills worker

A New Zealand meat company has been sentenced for violating workplace safety rules after a worker was crushed to death while operating a modified machine.

The Palmerston North District Court ordered the Manawatū based company to pay a fine of $350,000 following the death of the 47-year-old worker in April 2021.

The company was also ordered to pay reparations of $130,000 to the deceased man’s family.

WorkSafe’s area investigation manager, Paul West, said businesses that install new machines must conduct a risk assessment.

“It sounds simple but is so often missed,” he said.

“You might have a machine that works perfectly well, but if you move or replicate it, ask yourself how the device is going to be used and if a hazard has been introduced.”

For more information, visit the WorkSafe New Zealand website.