A steel product company has been fined more than $300,000 after nine tonnes of steel fell and killed a Christchurch man in November 2020.
Storeman Franchesco Krueger, 33, was sweeping underneath racking at United Steel in Wigram when it collapsed and killed him.
WorkSafe said it’s a “stark warning to any business that uses storage racks or shelving as part of its operations”, adding the steel was “badly loaded”.
“A WorkSafe investigation found glaring safety gaps, with the racking not cross-braced or bolted to the floor for stability,” a statement from WorkSafe said.
“The business did not conduct regular and effective safety inspections, and investigators also found the rack design had no professional engineering input.
“United Steel has now been sentenced for the health and safety failures that contributed to the death of its storeman.”
United Steel was fined $330,000, and emotional harm reparations of $100,000 were ordered.
WorkSafe area investigation manager Steve Kelly said: “This is a tragic incident that should never have occurred, if United Steel had managed its risks.
“A professional engineer or a similarly qualified expert is best to advise on any commercial or industrial racking bigger than what you have at home in the garage. Shelving should be fit for purpose and stable fixings in an industrial setting like this are a must.
“Businesses should conduct regular inspections to enable early detection of damage, missing parts, or improper installation which can help avoid a catastrophic collapse. WorkSafe also recommends all racking systems have clear signage showing the maximum weight that can be safely held, and any specified load configurations to avoid overloading.”
Manufacturing is “one of New Zealand’s most dangerous sectors”, the watchdog said adding metal fabrication is “a specific source of high harm”.
“Businesses must manage their risks and where they don’t WorkSafe will take action.”
