A worker was seriously injured in an incident at Claymark's Rotorua Sawmill on Tuesday. Photo / Ben Fraser
A worker was seriously injured in an incident at Claymark's Rotorua Sawmill on Tuesday. Photo / Ben Fraser
WorkSafe is investigating how a worker was “seriously injured” while cleaning at Claymark’s Rotorua sawmill on Tuesday.
A worker’s union said it was “extremely worrying” to hear of another accident at Claymark, after a trainee machine operator had two fingers amputated in a machine in 2023.
A WorkSafe NewZealand spokesperson told the Rotorua Daily Post the worker in the latest incident was “seriously injured” while cleaning a chain conveyor at Claymark on View Rd in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
WorkSafe’s investigation into the 2023 incident found the machine was unguarded and there was an ineffective system for maintenance. Training and supervision of workers also “fell short”.
This year, WorkSafe accepted an enforceable undertaking from Claymark – a legally binding voluntary agreement that can be an alternative to prosecution.
Claymark committed to safety measures worth $481,000, using AI technology to indicate risks to workers’ health and safety in real time, and upskilling workers on health and safety.
WorkSafe is investigating how a worker became "seriously injured" while cleaning at Claymark’s Rotorua sawmill. Photo / Ben Fraser
Workers First Union organiser Phil Graham said it was “extremely worrying” to hear of another accident at a business “already under the microscope” for health and safety, and committed to an enforceable undertaking via WorkSafe.
“Serious workplace accidents like this require transparency, a duty of care and a willingness to admit to and remedy any health and safety breaches that have occurred.
“It simply cannot happen again.”
Graham said wood manufacturing could be a dangerous industry with significant risks to workers’ wellbeing and it was vital companies were committed to protecting workers and following proper health and safety procedures on-site.
In his view, given Claymark’s previous enforceable undertaking, “further accidents like this could necessitate prosecution, which is WorkSafe’s duty as our national safety agency”.
In 2019, Claymark was fined almost $600,000 for health and safety failings after two workers sustained serious injuries while operating machinery on two separate occasions.
