A Gisborne company has been fined $35,000 and ordered to pay reparation of $75,000 to the family of a worker who died during a power pole incident.
Woodford Holdings, owned by a husband and wife, pleaded guilty in the Gisborne District Court to failing to take all practicable steps toensure the safety of Roger Broughton.
Mr Broughton died while working with co-owner Barry Woodford for Eastland Network replacing wooden power poles with concrete ones.
Woodford was responsible for isolating, testing and earthing the site, said Department of Labour prosecutor Renee Riddell-Garner.
But Woodford cut just five of a bundle of six jumpers (wires) and failed to test or earth the site.