Affco back in court over Rangiuru worker's meat-hook injury

Affco's Rangiuru plant.

A judge has reserved his verdict on allegations of health and safety breaches at Affco's Rangiuru plant.

On January 15 last year, worker Jonas Kordt was working on the mutton slaughter floor when his face was caught between the prongs of a spreader hook and he was dragged up to 1.5m along the chain until his head hit a metal knock-off block.

His head was crushed and he had cuts, bruising and a chipped molar.

Affco was accused of six breaches of the Health and Safety in Employment Act, three of which were dismissed when a trial began in May.

Affco defended the three remaining charges.

The trial was adjourned so lawyers for Worksafe and Affco could present written submissions.

In the Tauranga District Court yesterday Judge Paul Mabey, QC, heard verbal arguments on those submissions.

Among the points raised were whether or not Affco should have reasonably identified the knock-off block as a hazard before the accident, and not just with the benefit of hindsight.

The court discussed Affco's process for identifying hazards, and whether it was acceptable.

Judge Mabey scheduled the case to return to court on August 31, when he would give his verdict.

The defended charges

- Being an employer, knowingly failed to take all practicable steps to ensure Mr Kordt was not exposed to hazards arising out of his work on the mutton chain at its Rangiuru plant.

- Being an employer, failed to take all practicable steps to ensure that Mr Kordt had such knowledge and experience of the work or was so supervised by an experienced person.

- Being an employer, failed to take all practical steps to ensure Mr Kordt was adequately trained in the safe use of all plant and objects that he was or may be required to use.