In a decision released by the Dunedin District Court last week, Southern District Health Board and Fire and Mech Contracting Limited were fined, after a worker’s arm was crushed while removing a decommissioned x-ray machine at Dunedin Hospital in May 2017.

The incident occurred when Fire and Mech Contracting Limited asked a worker assisting with removal of the x-ray to help cut a wire rope to clear away the machine. A spring loaded system struck the worker’s forearm, causing a serious injury including a broken radius and ulna.

WorkSafe’s investigation found the Southern District Health Board failed to provide a copy of manufacturer’s instructions, including steps on safe removal, to those involved.

It also found that Fire and Mech did not seek out the manufacturer’s instructions, and that although its workers did have some experience in decommissioning machinery, they did not have experience with the x-ray machinery.

Fire and Mech was fined $247,500 and the Southern District Health Board was fined $225,000.

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