Quarry operator ordered to pay over $150K after employee crushed to death
A South Canterbury-based quarry and transport operator has been ordered to pay reparations of $100,000 to the family of an employee who was crushed to death while working at its Gordon Valley limestone quarry.
Transport (Waimate) Limited pleaded guilty to two charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of Scott Baldwin and failing to ensure that Mr Baldwin held a current certificate of competence as a quarry manager.
The company was also fined $54,000 at the sentencing in Timaru District Court yesterday.
On March 19 2015, Mr Baldwin, the quarry manager and sole regular employee on the quarry site, began work at the Gordon Valley quarry. He started two diesel motors at the plant used for processing limestone – one for the hammer mill and the other for the ancillary equipment – both located in an open store shed.