New Zealand / Regional

Builder fined for endangering workers

17:14 pm on 24 November 2014

A Christchurch builder has been fined $18,000 for placing his workers at risk of serious injury.

Grant Collings received a prohibition notice in December last year when WorkSafe New Zealand inspectors found four of his employees re-roofing a house with no fall protection in place.

WorkSafe said Mr Collings repeatedly ignored the notice, refused to bring his employees down from the roof, and displayed a blatant disregard for the their health and safety.

Falls from roofs and ladders account for most of the serious accidents in New Zealand's construction sector, it said.