Two NZ companies fined $52,800 after a workplace accident left an employee severely injured. Core Legal Masterton & Wellington explain your health and safety obligations.

NZ Workplace Injury Case Highlights Importance of Health & Safety Compliance

At Core Legal Masterton & Wellington, we see firsthand how costly workplace accidents can be—both financially and for the people involved. A recent District Court case serves as a stark reminder for all New Zealand businesses to take their health and safety obligations seriously.

The Incident

The case involved an employee working on a second-storey construction site. Initially, scaffolding was correctly installed. However, during the project, it was extended closer to nearby power lines—a significant hazard that was not properly managed.

On the day of the accident, the worker came into contact with a live power line. He was electrocuted and fell several metres, sustaining:

• Severe back and rib injuries

• Serious burns to his wrist and foot

Court Findings and Penalties

The District Court ruled that the companies failed to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure worker safety. Key failures included:

• Inadequate risk assessment regarding proximity to power lines

• Poor supervision of the work site

• Lack of proper training to prevent unauthorised changes to scaffolding

The consequences were significant:

• Company 1: Ordered to pay $22,000 in reparations, $5,000 in costs, and $1,550 in consequential losses

• Company 2: Ordered to pay $18,000 in reparations, $5,000 in costs, and $1,200 in consequential losses

In total, the penalties amounted to $52,800.

The Legal Lesson for Employers

New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act places clear obligations on businesses to eliminate or minimise risks. Failing to comply can result in heavy fines, reputational damage, and—most importantly—serious harm to workers.

If there is any uncertainty about your workplace safety obligations, it’s essential to seek advice from an experienced legal professional.

How Core Legal Can Help

At Core Legal Masterton and Wellington, we offer fixed-price initial consultations to help business owners understand and meet their health and safety obligations. Whether you’re in construction, manufacturing, or any high-risk industry, our team can help you minimise legal risks and protect your people.

Don’t wait until after an accident to get legal advice—contact us today.