CentrePort Wellington has recently been rocked by both a 6.5-magnitude earthquake and being charged under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment laid the charge following an investigation into the death of a 47-year-old watersider who was crushed between a forklift and pulp bales in January.
The port company, who provided full co-operation to the Ministry’s investigation, will appear on the charge in the Wellington District Court this month.
Its health and safety arrangements were also being reviewed with assistance from the Maritime Union of New Zealand. Although the particular work involved in the fatal incident had since relocated to the Port of Napier.
Meanwhile, full operations resumed at the port on the Monday afternoon following the significant earthquake that struck on Sunday July 21.
The quake caused part of a non-critical southern access road and retaining wall at the container terminal to fall into the harbour as did a container with an estimated $10,000 of equipment belonging to a sub-contractor.
It is understood superficial damage was suffered to ceiling panels and light fittings and there were some water issues in structures, but a full geotechnical engineers’ inspection of port land and buildings had revealed no structural damage.
