Preventable fall from height leaves worker seriously injured

Boat building company Alloy Yachts International Limited was today fined $39,000 and ordered to pay reparation of $14,000 after one of its workers fell nearly four metres, and was seriously injured.

The Waitakere District Court heard that the accident happened in January this year, when the worker was installing a handrail at the top of some stairs on a yacht. As he was descending the stairs, he lost his footing and fell down the stairs. His momentum carried him across a swim deck, and he fell 3.7 metres onto a concrete floor below.

“The injuries sustained as a result of this accident were very serious: multiple fractures to his hip and spine, a fracture to his neck, and several broken ribs,” says Northern health and safety manager of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), John Howard.

“The employer failed to take appropriate steps to protect the safety of its workers. This is simply not good enough,” Mr Howard says.

“MBIE’s investigation into the incident found that Alloy Yachts had removed a lifeline which could have prevented the fall. On top of that, we discovered that scaffolding around the stern section of the hull also failed to meet the required standards to prevent falls.

“This company is a leader in its field and has an international reputation.  It needs to bring its health and safety management to the same standard,” Mr Howard says.
“Preventing falls from height is a priority for MBIE. No matter what height people are working at, there is risk involved and MBIE expects everyone with staff or contractors to actively manage this significant hazard,” he says.

MBIE recently released new Best Practice Guidelines for Working at Height in New Zealand and these provide practical guidance about how to actively manage working at height to prevent harm.

“All employers, contractors and employees who are required to work at height should read the guidelines to ensure they take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of those working at height. Doing nothing is not an option,” Mr Howard says.