Editorial: Safety of staff top priority

Thankfully, I've never had a serious workplace accident.

But there are plenty of people who have and they work in far more dangerous jobs than mine.

A port, such as Tauranga's, can be a risky place and that's why it is crucial employers of port workers take health and safety seriously and ensure there are no shortfalls.

Yesterday's front-page story is a case in point. Two Bay companies were ordered to pay a total of $85,000 in fines and reparation to a Tauranga man after a winch wire severed his foot at the Port of Tauranga.

Bream Bay Enterprise (BOP) Ltd and Genera Ltd admitted breaches of the Health and Safety in Employment Act and were sentenced in Tauranga District Court on Wednesday.

Both companies failed to take the necessary steps to keep the 41-year-old man safe at work.

The judge says the companies are responsible employers and made a mistake.

But it is a costly mistake and the victim's life will never be the same again.

At first glance, the $85,000 in fines and reparation seemed reasonable to me but as I got to the end of the story, and did the maths between how much of the money was fines and how much would go to the victim, I changed my mind.

The victim is going to get a total of $40,000, with the rest of the money presumably going to the Crown.

So, is $40,000 fair compensation for losing a foot?

Of course not. It is well short of what is reasonable.

These companies broke the law and caused immense harm to this man. His injury is likely to severely impact his future earning ability and undoubtedly rob him of enjoyment of life. They should have been hit harder - at least $100,000 each - and all the money should have gone to the victim.

Putting the issue of reparation aside, I hope employers take note of this story.

The case will hopefully serve as a warning for them to take all practical steps to ensure the safety of their staff - or run the risk of being prosecuted.