An Ohakune pulp mill has been fined $37,000 after an employee suffered serious injuries after falling into a service pit.
The man was a kiln operator who was responsible for cleaning and maintenance, when he fell three and a half metres, fracturing and dislocating his left foot.
Winstone Pulp International Limited has also been ordered to pay more than $8000 in reparation for the accident in February last year.
The Department of Labour's acting Palmerston North service manager David Hulston said the cleaning system that was connected to the kiln had become blocked with ash.
"The employee climbed the metal frame of the cleaning system to find the reason for the blockage," he said.
"Hot ash spewed out when he opened the hatch and as a result he could not close it again. As he attempted to climb down the frame he fell 3.5 metres into the uncovered service pit."
Hulston said the department's investigation found there were no measures in place to protect the employee.
"This is simply unacceptable," Hulston said.
"While Winstone Pulp has since improved its practices for managing blockages in the cleaning system - the Department will not tolerate unacceptable hazard management plans."
Latest NZ News Video
-
Kiwi speaks to TVNZ7 from Everest base camp (1:59)
-
Immigration advisor Bill Milnes discusses claims (4:34)
-
Dance to save Shakti service (0:41)
