Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
2 November 2016
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$215,625.00

Safety lessons learned:
  1. Conduct a joint hazard and risk assessment for the proving operation, together with the PCBUs involved, prior to the work commencing.
  2. Develop, document, communicate and implement a safe system of work for the proving operation with all PCBUs involved in the proving operation.
  3. Ensure that the application for a Permit to Work under the Common Permit to Work System specified all of the specific hazards and risks associated with the work being carried out and the control measures to be used.
  4. Ensure that the authorisation for the Permit to Work under the Common Permit to Work System included the inspection of the equipment being used by the nominated Permit Issuers and the Person in Charge of the work site.
  5. Monitor the other parties’ compliance with the Safe System of Work and the Permit to Work.
  6. Develop, implement, communicate and enforce an effective Safe Operating Procedure for the tanker and vehicle movements in the Tanker Loading Facility so as to ensure that the tankers were not left idling.

Defendant name:
Beach Energy Resources NZ (Kupe) Limited
 
Industry:
Energy
 
Date of offence:
2 November 2016
 
Facts in brief:
The uncontrolled release of LPG on 2 November 2016 at the Kupe Production Station near Hawera in South Taranaki exposed workers and others to a risk of serious injury or death.
 
Related prosecutions:
 
Offence section:
Sections 37(1), 48(1) and (2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
 
Date(s) charged:

Court:
New Plymouth - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$215,625.00
 
Maximum fine available:
$1.5 million
 
Reparation:
$6,000 for emotional harm
 
Related Documents:
PDF
Sentencing notes - WorkSafe New Zealand v Beach Energy Resources NZ (Kupe) Limited, First Gas Limited and Gas Services Limited (PDF 3.5 MB)
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