Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
2 November 2016
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$188,250.00

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, implement, communicate, enforce and monitor compliance with a safe operating procedure for the proving operation.
  3. Fit manual carrying facilities to the Hose and Valve arrangement to aid lifting and moving of the Hose.
  4. Implement an adequate management of change process in respect of the replacement of the Hose Valves.
  5. Effectively communicate in advance to all parties involved or in the vicinity of the proving operation that the proving activity was being undertaking that day and what would be involved.
  6. Implement, communicate, enforce and monitor compliance of a safe operating procedure for the proving operation.

Defendant name:
First Gas 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.
 
 
Offence section:
Sections 36(1)(b), 48(1) and (2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and Sections 36(2), 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:
$188,250.00
 
Maximum fine available:
$1.5 million
 
Reparation:
$5,000 for emotional harm