Following a crewmember’s hand crushing on 9 January 2019 off the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island Mussels Limited has been fined $150,000 and ordered to pay $31,000 in reparation to the accident.
Namely, the 18-year-old crew member’s hand was crushed in a pulley on mussel farming vessel Waikawau on 9 January 2019 off the Coromandel Peninsula.
In light of the situation, Michael-Paul Abbott, Maritime NZ’s Compliance Manager, Central Region, informed that the fines reflects the severity of the incident and its life-long impact on the crew member, who needed multiple skin grafts and the partial amputation of a finger.
According to Maritime NZ’s investigation, vessel’s owners failed to fulfil its duties to protect its workers.
What is more, Mr Abbott said the company knew the pulley was an issue as it had frequently jammed.
In fact, when the incident occurred, the hook had already jammed twice and had to be freed. At approximately 4.15 pm the pulley jammed for a third time.
The crew member climbed the gantry, the crane supporting the pulley so as to attempt to free the hook.
As he climbed, his foot touched the lever controlling the pulley, causing it to move and crush his four fingers. His foot again brushed the lever causing his hand to be further crushed by the pulley, bringing severe consequences for the crewmember.
We encourage all businesses to proactively protect their workers from harm.Involve your staff in health and safety decisions and discussions. Train them well. Make safety part of your culture, encourage them to report workplace dangers. If you know something’s an issue, don’t walk past it – fix it!
…Mr Abbott concluded.