The enforceable undertakings were granted following an incident at Peaks Pump Station in North Otago in September 2016.

Three workers employed by Plunket Electrical Oamaru were installing a 1400kg switchboard when the switchboard tipped forward and struck one of the workers in the abdomen. The worker would have been crushed and trapped by the full weight of the switchboard had it not landed on a steel stand nearby. The worker was left with crush injuries to his abdomen including a spleen laceration.

McConnell Dowell Constructors were project managing the site while Plunket Electrical Oamaru was completing the installation. Both companies had obligations to the health and safety of workers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and our investigation found their failures contributed to the unnecessary injury of the worker.

WorkSafe Deputy General Manager, Investigations and Specialist Services, Simon Humphries said this was a case of poor planning and that risks relating to the movement and lifting of large and heavy objects need to be managed appropriately.

The affected employee is supportive of the enforceable undertakings.

Under Plunket Electrical Oamaru Limited’s enforceable undertaking, the company committed to initiatives including:

• In addition to a voluntary payment already made, a further voluntary payment to the victim and other staff involved in the incident and ACC top up for the victim.
• Providing NZQA approved courses to employees.
• Engaging a speaker approved by WorkSafe to attend a whole of staff meeting to discuss health and safety.
• Developing a video designed for Master Electricians that focuses on hazard identification.
• Developing a video or course specifically targeting hazard identification and health and safety for an electrical training provider, the Electrical Training Company (ETCO).
• Publishing an article for SafeGuard and other industry publications.
• Donating $5000 to St John Ambulance and $5000 to Rescue Helicopter.
• Covering the costs for SiteSafe or a similar organisation to attend and run a stall at the Oamaru A&P Show.
• Providing $15,000 to put towards funding for a health and safety radio/digital campaign

Plunket Electrical Director Mark Rawson said: “This entire experience has been a journey with many learning outcomes for management and staff. It has brought home the fact that although we place a strong emphasis on health and safety for our employees, there are always areas that need improving.

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