School to fight blast charges

The Department of Labour is prosecuting an Auckland secondary school over a fatal boiler explosion in June.

Orewa College caretaker Richard Nel died after suffering burns to 90 per cent of his body. Contractor Robin Tubman is still recovering from the serious injuries he suffered.

Yesterday, the department would not specify either the parties or the charges until the case reached court. But it said the charges were being laid under the Health and Safety in Employment Act and related to the failure to take all practicable steps to provide a safe workplace.

The chairman of Orewa's board of trustees, Phil Pickford, said the school would defend the charges "vigorously and rigorously".