Lyttelton charged over worker death

The charge alleges the port company failed to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of the 40-year-old father-of-three, who died when the Snorkel scissor lift he was operating on a Liebherr straddle crane toppled over.

Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) national secretary Joe Fleetwood welcomed the charge and said the death of the MUNZ Lyttelton Branch president was a “needless workplace tragedy”.

Mr Fleetwood said it was important that employers’ took seriously their duty of care to employees and emphasised that MUNZ would continue working with LPC to improve health and safety at the port.

In light of recent Health and Safety Act charges having also been brought against CentrePort Wellington and Ports of Auckland among other serious incidents at New Zealand ports, MUNZ has reiterated its call for a national inquiry into port safety.