The WorkSafe website will be unavailable on Tuesday 16 September from 12pm–5pm due to planned maintenance.
Our other online services, including the online services portal(external link) and Energy Safety portal(external link), will remain available.
To notify us of an injury, illness or incident at work, visit our online services portal(external link). For urgent notifications, please call us on 0800 030 040. For general or non-urgent enquiries, email us at info@worksafe.govt.nz.
Court Summary - at a glance
Date of offence:
28 April 2014
Plea:
Withdrawn
Decision:
Withdrawn
Final decision date:
Fine imposed:
Not applicable
Safety lessons learned:
Not applicable
Defendant name:
2015-H
Industry:
Education and training
Date of offence:
28 April 2014
Facts in brief:
The Defendant was contracted as a trainee diver trainer for occupational diver training courses.
The victim was taking part in a training course based at Lake Puketerini, Huntly. The victim did not meet the preliminary requirements for the course of having logged ten eligible dives and failed to complete a 200m swim test on the day of the incident, to the extent he had to be assisted ashore. He had not completed mandatory first aid assessment and certification prior to diving. He was also observed having difficulties dressing into his scuba equipment. On the day of the incident, the first day of week two of the course and the first day of diving, there were poor visibility conditions. The trainees lost sight of the supervisor in the Lake. The Defendant was on the shore of the lake during the dive. After about six minutes in the water, the victim was observed at the surface without his dive mask or breathing regulator and appearing to be in distress. The required risk assessment that was completed prior to the dive was inadequate in a number of critical areas.
The victim was found at the bottom of the Lake by another trainee after a search lasting several minutes. Attempts on the shore to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The cause of death was drowning.
The victim was taking part in a training course based at Lake Puketerini, Huntly. The victim did not meet the preliminary requirements for the course of having logged ten eligible dives and failed to complete a 200m swim test on the day of the incident, to the extent he had to be assisted ashore. He had not completed mandatory first aid assessment and certification prior to diving. He was also observed having difficulties dressing into his scuba equipment. On the day of the incident, the first day of week two of the course and the first day of diving, there were poor visibility conditions. The trainees lost sight of the supervisor in the Lake. The Defendant was on the shore of the lake during the dive. After about six minutes in the water, the victim was observed at the surface without his dive mask or breathing regulator and appearing to be in distress. The required risk assessment that was completed prior to the dive was inadequate in a number of critical areas.
The victim was found at the bottom of the Lake by another trainee after a search lasting several minutes. Attempts on the shore to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The cause of death was drowning.
Related prosecutions:
Offence section:
• Section 66(1) of the Crimes Act 1961 and sections 17, 49(1) and 49(3) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
• Section 66(1) of the Crimes Act 1961 and sections 17, 49(2) and 49(3) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
• Section 66(1) of the Crimes Act 1961 and sections 17, 49(2) and 49(3) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
Date(s) charged:
Court:
Huntly - District Court
Plea:
Withdrawn
Final decision date:
Decision:
Withdrawn
Fine imposed:
Not applicable
Maximum fine available:
$250,000
Reparation:
Not applicable
Last updated