Five Western Bay firms have been ordered to pay more than $220,000 in fines and reparation for serious workplace injuries during the past three years.
The information - released to the Bay of Plenty Times by Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment under the Official Information Act - includes details of a case involving a worker who suffered crush injuries after getting caught under hoist machinery.
In another case a worker suffered fracture injuries after fingers were trapped in a lift conveyer. Improvement notices were issued in both cases and a prohibition notice issued for the latter.
In May this year a builder working on a garage roof for Greenway Developments broke his jaw and wrist after falling 2.4m from timber wall framing.
Managing director Stefan Greenway accepted there was no scaffolding or edge protection but said the Government placed unrealistic and unfair pressure on employers to meet health and safety expectations that were over the top. Firms, particularly small businesses, struggled to meet requirements and recommendations the ministry suggested, he said.