Two North Shore companies sharing the same sole director have been fined a total of $78,000 for health and safety breaches after two different employees sustained severe injuries over a 48 hour period.

WorkSafe New Zealand says neither injury was notified and it only became aware of the injuries when one of the victims complained to it nearly two months after the incidents.

The victim suffered severe hand injuries while operating bench saws. Both required surgery and were unable to work for at least three months.

Quality Kitchens NZ Ltd and Quality Construction NZ Ltd (which have the same sole director) have been fined a total $78,000 in North Shore District Court for health and safety breaches. Quality Kitchens was ordered to pay reparations of $21,828.89 and Quality Construction was ordered to pay reparations of $30,083.84.

“There are two employees who’ve suffered serious injuries because this employer had not implemented any systems to identify and manage workplace risks, nor had the employer formally trained the two workers on how to safely operate the equipment – that is unacceptable,” says WorkSafe Chief Inspector Steve Kelly.

This incident occurred while the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 was still in force. Each company faced one charge of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its workers, and one charge of failing to notify WorkSafe of incidents involving serious harm.