Truck driver who broke his spine awarded $25,000

Peter Lepou fractured his ribs and spine and was hospitalised for four days. Photo / Thinkstock

A truck driver who was pinned between a truck and a loading bay, breaking his spine, has been awarded $25,000 compensation.

The company that operated the truck, Hall's Direct Limited, has also been fined $50,000 over the incident.

Peter Lepou fractured his ribs and spine and was hospitalised for four days after the incident on March 6, 2014.

He has been unable to return to work because of the pain from his injuries.

Hall's Direct Ltd was sentenced in the Auckland District Court yesterday under the Health and Safety in Employment act for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of an employee.

The court heard that Mr Lepou had been told by his supervisor, James Dallas, to take another worker, Jacques Snyman, to drive his delivery route on that day.

While they were making a meat delivery in Penrose, Mr Lepou got out of the truck to talk to an employee and Mr Snyman reversed the truck into him, pinning him against the loading bay.

The truck's reversing camera did not work, and had not been fixed even after Mr Lepou warned the company multiple times that it was broken.

WorkSafe New Zealand chief inspector Keith Stewart said the employer had not provided workers with a safe system to use in docks and loading bays, and Mr Lepou didn't know Mr Snyman was a new driver on a learner's licence.

"Mr Lepou should not have been expected to be a driving instructor and had no qualifications or experience in this area. It was not part of Mr Lepou's job to train others to drive," Mr Stewart said.

"The conviction and fine is a reminder to all companies that they need to take their obligation to their staff's health and safety seriously."