Vigil for those who died at work

Shane Frater was killed in a forestry accident near Taupo in 2009.

A vigil in Napier today will remember those men and women tragically killed in the workplace.

In 2009, 28-year-old forester Shane Frater was killed in Te Awahohonu Forest in Napier.

Mr Frater died after a branch from a tree struck him as the tree was sliding down a hillside.

He worked for C&R Logging Limited and was working in a Rayonier Forest. Napier local Jenni Frater, mother of Mr Frater, will be putting up 290 crosses at the Workers Memorial today at 4pm.

The crosses represent the number of people killed at work since John Key promised to improve health and safety laws. A reform to the Health and Safety law passed its second reading last week.

Mr Frater's widow Deborah McMillan and her eight-year-old Skyla, had a strong message for Prime Minister John Key last month during a protest outside the National Party in Auckland about weakening health and safety proposals.

"We're here to show National that we are not going to be quiet," Deborah McMillan of Hamilton said.

"We are not going to give up. We are all going to stand together and keep fighting for change."

The new proposed law is weaker for small businesses than current legislation.

Mr Frater was killed in a small workplace.