(New Zealand)
WorkSafe is warning businesses of the catastrophic consequences that can result from failing to undertake routine safety checks on trailers.
This follows the death of 52-year-old Julian Bruins Yates, whose van was struck when a trailer detached from a work vehicle in October 2020 on Weka Pass Road in Canterbury.
Ultimate Design and Renovation (UDR) Limited, which owned the A-frame trailer and tow vehicle, and its operational arm ABC Aluminium Limited, have now been sentenced for health and safety failures. A fine of $270,000 was imposed, along with an order to pay $130,000 in reparations.
A WorkSafe investigation found the locking handle on the trailer was not engaged, and the trailer’s safety chain was not connected to the vehicle.
WorkSafe’s Head of Specialist Interventions, Dr. Catherine Gardner said: “These are routine checks that must be done when towing a trailer. If not, the consequences can be catastrophic.”
ABC and UDR did not have systems to ensure vehicles were kept in good working order, or systems to ensure drivers visually checked their vehicles before use.
WorkSafe also found staff had inadequate information, training, instruction, supervision, and experience to safely use the company vehicles and trailers.
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