Occupational Safety And Health say they will prosecute the makers of a milking machine in which a Southland farmer was crushed and killed.
Chris Welch, 35, died instantly after becoming entangled in a rotary platform as it was moving during the morning milking on October 10 last year.
Mr Welch was DairyFarmers of New Zealand Southland president and vice-president of Federated Farmers Southland.
The machine's manufacturers and installers, Clutha Chain Mesh Products Ltd, would be charged with failing to make a machine which was safe for its intended use, and with not taking all practical steps to ensure the plant was used in a safe manner, Occupational Safety and Health Southland service manager John Pannett told NZPA.
The case is set down to begin in Gore District Court on March 31. The company faces a maximum fine of $250,000 if found guilty.
