The prompt follows the sentencing of Cardinal Logistics Limited after they appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Friday, following an incident that left a worker with life-changing injuries.

Cardinal Logistics provide warehousing and distribution services for importers and exporters. In September 2016, a worker was walking through the new warehouse premises when a forklift rounded a corner and crushed his body against racking. The worker sustained multiple fractures that broke his leg and arm, resulting in a 35-day stay in hospital. The injuries are ongoing, with the victim recently having his leg amputated and continuing to have ongoing medical intervention for his arm.

Our investigation found that the warehouse in which the incident occurred was a new premise and the lease was still held on the original warehouse in Hornby.

While Cardinal Logistics had an effective traffic management system and appropriate controls for separating pedestrians and forklifts in place in Hornby, they had not implemented this at their new warehouse at Islington. Planning for a system had begun and orders had been placed, but the system had not been implemented prior to commencing operations.

WorkSafe’s Deputy General Manager, Investigations and Specialist Services Simon Humphries said, “When you’re moving sites, or expanding into additional premises, one of the first things to take with you should be the elements that care for the safety of your workers.”

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