Orchard to pay $134,500 over employee death

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An orchard company has been fined and ordered to pay reparation - totalling $134,500 - over the death of an employee.

Gary Wakefield was working at an apple and kiwifruit orchard in Lower Moutere, near Motueka, when the tractor he was using to mow grass rolled down a bank, pinning him underneath and fatally injuring him.

AB Wood Holdings Limited pleaded guilty to a charge under the Health and Safety in Employment Act for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that the employee was not exposed to hazards.

The company was fined $49,500 and ordered to pay $85,000 in reparation.

During WorkSafe's investigation a number of steps were identified that could have prevented the incident.

AB Wood could have reduced the number of apple trees in the row and reshaped the terrain, erected suitable barriers along the slope and terrain, and ensured there was a formal risk assessment in place, WorkSafe said.

Keith Stewart, WorkSafe NZ's chief inspector said: "Farm vehicles account for over half of all fatalities on farms. Vehicle rollovers are the first and most frequent cause of these fatalities.

"Many fatalities and injuries in agriculture occur because the known risks are not fully taken into account. WorkSafe is working with the agriculture sector to help bring about a change in this behaviour."