The Government backs down from giving final sign-off on fast-track approvals bill projects and Blockhouse Bay homicide scene examination continues in today's NZ Herald headlines.
Pastor Helen Verry, 44, died at Church Unlimited in Glendene on January 30, 2022, afterbeing seriously injured by the collapse of a 273kg powered roller grille door.
Verry was the youngest of 15 children. One of her brothers was former All Black Va’aiga Tuigamala, who died less than a month after Verry at the age of 52.
Helen Verry, 44, died at a church in West Auckland. Photo / Va'aiga Tuigamala
Following her death, the company that installed the door in 2009, Scotty Doors, was charged by WorkSafe under the Health and Safety Employment Act 1992.
A similar failure now would have harsher penalties due to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 2015, WorkSafe said.
Last week, the company was sentenced in the Waitākere District Court. It was ordered to pay a $41,250 fine and a further $162,000 in reparations.
Verry’s death had been a “tragic consequence” of poor workmanship, WorkSafe area investigation manager Steve Kelly said.
The door fell from its fixing while Verry was trying to close it manually, using a hand chain because the motor was not working.
The WorkSafe investigation found the roller door was fixed through a piece of plywood and gib board with screws that were too short to properly hold up the weight.
“Scotty Doors failed to ensure the appropriate fastener was used to secure the door,” Kelly said.
WorkSafe said pastor Helen Verry’s death had been a “tragic consequence” of poor workmanship. Photo / Hayden Woodward
“More consideration should have been given to the type and length of screw being used given the presence of the plywood.”
Kelly noted the length of the screws at one end failed to comply with the building code due to the thinness of the plywood.
“Scotty Doors should have identified the door wasn’t installed safely or in compliance. The registration form they signed said the door had been installed in the church lounge and checks had been completed – including the door being attached to a solid fixing.”
The fine and reparations Scotty Doors was ordered to pay were a reminder to companies that if they contributed to unsafe work, they would be held to account, Kelly said.
