Sponsored By

Ports of Auckland fined $35,000 over stevedore’s fall

New Zealand’s Ports of Aucland has been fined NZD49,980 ($35,400) and ordered to pay NZD12,000 in reparations after a stevedore fell off a ledge onto a ship deck, local reports said.

Lee Hong Liang, Asia Correspondent

June 20, 2016

1 Min Read
Kalyakan - stock.adobe.com

The worker was working on a containership, Spirit of Independence, on 11 October 2014 when the accident happened.

The fall of nearly three metres from the edge of a hatch lid onto the ship deck had knocked the stevedore unconscious and fractured his elbow.

It was reported that the hatch lid was 1.7 metres wide and had no safety rails. The lid was used to access containers as the ladders on the ship were designed for people of smaller stature and not generally used by stevedores.

Maritime New Zealand maritime compliance general manager Harry Hawthorn said: “[Ports of Auckland] knew that stevedores frequently used the easier, faster option of walking across the hatch lid rather than using the ladders - but the lack of safety rails on the hatch was not identified at the ship specific safety briefing for stevedores.”

About the Author

Lee Hong Liang

Asia Correspondent

Singapore-based Lee Hong Liang provides a significant boost to daily coverage of the Asian shipping markets, as well as bringing with him an in-depth specialist knowledge of the bunkering markets.

Throughout Hong Liang’s 14-year career as a maritime journalist, he has reported ‘live’ news from conferences, conducted one-on-one interviews with top officials, and had the ability to write hard news and featured stories.

 

Get the latest maritime news, analysis and more delivered to your inbox
Join 12,000+ members of the maritime community

You May Also Like