Wood processor Juken has been fined more than $300,000 and must pay compensation to a worker who suffered serious burns.
Juken New Zealand's Triboard mill in Kaitaia. Photo: Supplied / Juken New Zealand Ltd
The North Island company had already been convicted 20 times for health and safety breaches over the past two decades.
At yesterday's sentencing in the Kaitaia District Court, Juken was ordered to pay the worker $60,000 and fined $365,000.
The worker suffered third-degree burns to his hands and wrists in July 2017 after a machine he was working on was started up, engulfing him in steam.
He also received superficial burns to his face and inhalation burns in his throat, lungs and stomach.
WorkSafe said Juken should have learnt from its previous history, but instead another worker has suffered life-changing injuries.