File image. Photo: summerfruitnz.co.nz
A Central Otago fruit grower has been fined for failing to keep its staff safe after a worker needed three fingers to be partly amputated.
Matthew Nevill, 19, was working at Clyde Orchards when his hands became caught in a conveyor belt while trying to fix a chain in February 2021.
He fractured two fingers on his left hand and needed surgery to partly amputate three fingers on his right hand.
The Alexandra District Court sentenced Clyde Orchards under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 in a reserved decision, imposing a $225,000 fine and ordering $37,465 in reparations.
A WorkSafe investigation found the company did not properly assess the risk and had poor safeguarding of the machinery, which contributed to his injuries.
That included no lockouts so parts of the machinery could be safely isolated and turned off to protect staff.
WorkSafe area investigation manager Steve Kelly said Matthew Nevill's injuries had affected his independence.
He had been working at Clyde Orchards for five consecutive summers.
"Although he was the unfortunate victim, it could have been anyone on staff given the risks that were present," Kelly said.
"Seasonal workers are just as entitled to health and safety protection as those who work year-round in a business. The shortcomings in this case are simply not good enough, when we know seasonal workers are at greater risk of workplace harm.
"Seasonal work and tasks like harvest can put a huge amount of pressure on everyone involved, so managing the risks is essential. The lives, health and wellbeing of workers must be your number one priority. We will continue to hold manufacturers to account for failing in their health and safety responsibilities."
The conveyor involved has been decommissioned since the incident.