Scott William Larsen

Forestry

1 February 2017; 16 February 2017; 27 April 2017

The Defendant is a forestry operator in the Wairarapa. WorkSafe inspectors visited the Defendant’s site on 14 June 2016 but were refused access to the forestry block and were issued a trespass notice by the Defendant. The inspectors returned on 12 October 2016 and were given access to the site. Three pieces of machinery were identified with safety defects. An Improvement Notice was issued on 21 October 2016 in respect of the machinery.

On 16 February 2017 the inspectors returned to the site and found the machinery was being operated in breach of the improvement notice.

Charge (i): The Defendant failed to comply with the improvement notice issued on 21 October 2016.

Charge (ii): During the 16 February 2017 inspector visit, the Defendant refused to provide his name, address, date of birth or answer questions about the logging truck site. He also prevented questioning of other workers and demanded the inspectors leave under trespass orders he had given on 14 June 2016.

Charge (iii): The inspectors required the Defendant to attend an interview at Masterton Police Station on 27 April 2017. He did not attend.

Charge (i): Sections 103(1) and (2)(a).
Charges (ii) and (iii): Sections 179(1) and (2).

Masterton - District Court

No plea – the matter proceeded by way of formal proof

Convicted

Charge (i): $20,000
Charge (ii): $5,000
Charge (iii): $7,000

Charge (i): $50,000
Charges (ii) and (iii): $10,000

Not applicable