The Meat Workers Union believes the conviction and $30,000 fine for the injury of a worker caught by a meat hook at Affco Talley's Rangiuru plant is not a sufficient deterrent.

Affco Talleys was convicted and sentenced in Tauranga District Court yesterday for the incident which happened back in 2014.

Affco Talleys has been convicted and fined for charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act. Image: Google Maps.

The hook went in below his left ear and came out below his left eye, puncturing two major muscles beneath his cheek.

The company was sentenced on charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure an employee was healthy and safe at work.

The Court also awarded $25,000 in reparation to the worker, Jason Matahiki.

'Jason Matahiki and his family have suffered terribly from this accident. The company made it worse by pleading not guilty to the Worksafe prosecution, and in so doing, put an innocent worker through more unnecessary stress by trying to blame him for the accident,” says a statement from the Meat Workers Union.

'The chairperson of the company, Sam Lewis, is reported as saying that 'the person should have known the chain shouldn't have been moving and why didn't he step back and not do his job”.

'Jason has bravely spoken out about his accident and the consequences for him and his family. That took guts, but at the same time taken a toll on him, bringing back horrific memories.

'Affco Talleys say they take health and safety seriously. They write the books and do the paperwork, but resist worker participation as the cornerstone of improving health and safety.”

Affco general manager Andy Leonard says Affco reiterates that the incident involving Mr Matahaki was extremely unfortunate.

'Affco accepts the judge's decision and will continue to actively promote a safe working environment for all its staff.”

In a statement released March 2, Andy says Affco is rated in the best 10 per cent by ACC for workplace accidents in the Meat Industry.

'This was the first accident on the chain processor after many years of operation but still extremely unfortunate and taken seriously by the Company.”