Bay firm fined after worker loses finger

A Western Bay manufacturing company has been fined $60,000 after an employee lost a finger in a workplace accident.
Pearce Tool & Manufacturing, based in Katikati, was also ordered to pay reparation of $11,356 at Tauranga District Court yesterday.
The accident happened in August when an employee crushed one of her fingers while using a punch and forming press machine that wasn't guarded.
The employee, a press operator, was working on an overdue order.
The court heard the employee was asked to work on a machine that she had never used before. Her supervisor gave her a quick lesson in how to use it.
But as she reached into the machine to remove a jammed clip, she accidentally pressed down on the machine's foot pedal, causing the machine to operate and crushing her finger.
Part of her right index finger had to be surgically amputated.
"Our investigation found a number of things the company could have and should have done to prevent this accident," said Murray Thompson, Bay of Plenty service manager for the Department of Labour.
"Firstly, a hazard assessment should have been completed on the machine. The employee should also have been properly trained to work on the machine, instead of being given a quick demonstration. Finally, the guarding on the punch and forming press had been removed. There is no excuse for this. All employers responsible for machinery or equipment must make sure it is properly guarded."
EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said the ruling was indicative of the fact that the community was increasingly intolerant of unsafe work practices.
"Employers have got to learn the lesson that health and safety is the priority in the workplace, and if it's not, it's going to cost them."
Mr Little said it was crucial for workers to receive adequate training to use equipment.
"The idea that you can give an untrained person a quick lesson and they will be okay is just wrong.
"An untrained person is an unconfident person, therefore they are likely to make more mistakes.
"The idea of having employees learn things by trial and error is long gone, and employers need to realise that."
The Department of Labour said hundreds of New Zealand workers were injured each year because of machines that were not guarded.
The department is working on a three-year project to raise the awareness of proper machine guarding and make sure employers are aware of their duties to protect their staff.
Pearce Tool & Manufacturing was convicted on one charge under the health and safety section of the Employment Act.
The act states that every employer shall take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees while at work, provide a safe working environment, ensure employees are not exposed to hazards and that the workplace is safe.
Pearce has already paid $10,000 of the $11,356 reparation.
The company was unavailable for comment.