Guilty plea from logging company

The employer of a forestry worker killed at work near Tokoroa in July 2013 has pleaded guilty over the man's death ahead of trial.

M and A Cross Ltd pleaded guilty in Rotorua District court today.


A log loader driver was killed while out of his vehicle without safety equipment. Photo: File.

The private prosecution was brought by the Council of Trade Unions after the Government's agent, Worksafe, refused to take any action over the death of forestry worker Charles Finlay over two years ago.

The CTU has always known that his death was due to the poor health and safety practices of his employer, says CTU president Helen Kelly.

'Charles would not have died if his employer had taken the appropriate steps and ensured a safe workplace,” says Helen.

'It is of cold comfort that they now, two years on, take responsibility for that.

'The CTU, with the support of Charles's family, needed to take this ground breaking private prosecution.

'Worksafe, the Government agency whose responsibility it is to ensure employers are held accountable for healthy and safe workplaces, did not hold this employer accountable for Charles's death.

'If the CTU hadn't sought justice then M and A Cross Ltd would never have taken responsibility for Charles' unavoidable death. Justice would never have been served.”

The 45-year-old was working at a log loading area in the Kinleith Forest when he was struck on the head by a log and killed.

It was dark and he wasn't wearing a high-viz jacket, while his helmet was found in his loader.

M and A Cross Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that Charles was wearing the correct personal protection equipment and, on the morning of the accident, did not provide a hi-viz night jacket.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching sections 6 and 50 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (the Act). The charge is punishable by a fine not exceeding $250,000.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.